Here we are again, with District 9! I'm sorry this took so long; in my defence, it is the longest chapter so far. Thanks so much to UltimateMaxmericaShipper for submitting both Sage and Wolf!

Sage Wilson: District 9

Submitted by UltimateMaxmericaShipper

The Capitol has good food, I'll give them that.

Sage had already scarfed down her second helping of omelettes by the time her district partner stumbled out of his car.

Wolf's brown hair was sprouting in every direction, and his red silky pyjamas hung off his small frame, but he still slid into the seat across from Sage with a smoothness that was just irritating for someone his age.

"Sage, right? Nice name. Nice everything, really." The way he was looking her up and down made her fists clench under the table. "I think we'll get along just fine."

"Wolf Bents," greeted Sage icily. "It's a real pleasure." She didn't mean it, of course, and judging by the crestfallen expression behind his cheeky grin, her district partner realized that.

Yes, she was pretty, with her long red tresses, gold-green eyes, and petite form, but that didn't mean she let people get away with flirting. Sage dealt with enough crap at home; she didn't need some scrawny fourteen year-old hitting on her when she had to focus on the games.

Then I'll be free, she thought, hope swelling within her at the thought of never seeing her father again. Winning was preferable, of course, but then again, death would be a viable escape as well.

Coming back a victor would mean being my own person. I wouldn't have to live with Father, I wouldn't have to marry some ancient peacekeeper, I wouldn't have to be banned from making friends, I wouldn't be owned. I could be happy.

Sage shook her head to clear such cheerful thoughts, reminding herself to take life one step at a time. Happiness was a long way away, and she would have to go to hell and back to reach it.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Wolf questioned, leaning over the table.

Oh, just how to kill you, Sage was tempted to say, but before she could open her mouth, the escort strolled in.

"Ah, children, how are we enjoying our meal?" Placido Patton spread his fat arms open wide, as if expecting a hug.

"Delicious," Wolf replied, shovelling some sort of delicacy down his throat.

"And Sage?" he turned to her, smiling pleasantly.

She met his gaze. "I'm just wondering why you bother fattening us when we could starve to death in a week."

Placido looked more uncomfortable with that, but was saved from responding by the mentor entering the car.

At age sixteen Tihana Jelen won the 17th Hunger Games, the year of the wintery arena. Those games were known was being the least eventful, with most of the tributes slowly dying of hypothermia. Tihana had managed to survive the longest, and the Capitol had removed any trace of frostbite from her fair skin.

Sage liked Tihana so far; she was kind and understanding, not drunk or vicious or detached like mentors were rumoured to be. She seemed to genuinely want one of them to win.

"Morning, Sage, Wolf... Placido." Tihana didn't seem to like the escort, making her that much more relatable to Sage.

I mean, he's okay, just too... Pleasant. He doesn't seem to notice the life or death situation right in his face.

"I've got a question, Ti," said Wolf around his breakfast.

"Shoot," she responded, pouring herself a large cup of coffee.

"How do I get to the next level in the Hunger Games?"

Tihana looked confused. "The next level?"

"Yeah; it's a game, isn't it? There must be levels." Wolf smirked, awaiting an answer to his highly intellectual question.

"I think you pass a level if you're still alive." Sage chimed in. Wolf didn't look satisfied with the answer, but proud that he got the pretty girl to talk to her.

Why did I get stuck with this kid?

"So, you two are mutants, aren't you?" Placido looked at the tributes inquisitively. Sage sighed. Now that the secret was out, she would be treated like a bug under a microscope.

"Yup," said Wolf, obviously not ashamed of whatever he had been cursed with.

"What can you do?"

"Oh, you'll love it, Tihana!" Sage's district partner practically jumped with joy. "My mutation is... Drumroll please... Animation!"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Sage's impoliteness caused Placido to frown. Oops. That wasn't meant to be out loud.

"I'll show you!" exclaimed Wolf, not seeming to mind. He grabbed the salt shaker off the table and clutched it tightly to himself. Closing his eyes, he appeared in deep concentration for a moment, before he set it back down.

Sage didn't see a difference. "What, did you turn it to sugar or something?"

"Watch!" Wolf pointed at the shaker, which was beginning to wiggle. It writhed more violently until it was bouncing all over the table.

"Oh dear," murmured Placido.

Finally the shaker fell on its side, laying still for a moment. Sage stared at it, waiting for something to happen. Unless Wolf was bluffing.

She was about to make a sarcastic remark about how amazing his mutation was, when the salt shaker somehow stood, and opened a mouth that wasn't there before.

"What? Why's everyone staring at me?" the shaker questioned in a high-pitched voice.

Wolf grinned proudly. Tihana let out a cry of surprise, and Placido stumbled out of the car, face white. Sage however burst out laughing.

"Hey!" the shaker somehow looked offended.

"Chill, Salty," said Wolf casually. "Making a girl laugh is a great thing."

Sage rolled her eyes, embarrassed that she had let it slip out. She definitely wasn't a giggly girl, and didn't want her district partner to believe he could have a chance with her if he played the comedian. But animation was by far the most ridiculous mutation she had ever seen. She could only imagine Wolf's house filled with talking furniture.

"Imma' take a stroll," said the shaker, hopping off the table.

"Incredible," breathed Tihana, "You can make inanimate objects come to life?"

"Yep," Wolf grinned, "I haven't quite figured out how to change them back, though."

"This could really be to your advantage," she continued. "You could get weapons to fight for you!"

"Woah, woah, slow down! It's not like I can control them, and I think I'll be staying away from the fighting. In fact..." he turned to Sage. "I was kinda thinking about an alliance, you know, just the two of us..."

"No." Sage didn't need any other words for a flat-out refusal.

"Are you sure? It would improve your chances," offered Tihana.

"My chances are just fine; I don't need Mr. Bates and his condiment friends weighing me down."

"Harsh," muttered Wolf, but perked up again. "Alright, I'll take that as a maybe. So, what's your mutation?"

"None of your business," she snapped.

"You know you'll have to tell eventually," said Tihana gently.

"Yeah, it's not like it's a secret anymore," added Wolf. "Soon all of Panem will know!"

Sage gritted her teeth. "Not helping."

"We could strategize. I'm sure there's a way you can use it." The escort put a hand on her shoulder, which Sage jerked away from.

"I don't need your help."

"Let's play truth or dare!" Wolf piped up. "Sage, you can start! Truth or dare? Truth? Okay! What is your... Mutation?"

"Will you just shut up?" she finally exclaimed. A bolt of lightning whitewashed the car, thunder following a moment later.

Shit.

"That storm blew in fast," murmured Tihana.

Wolf must have seen Sage's stricken expression, as his face lit up in realization. "That's your mutation, isn't it? Your emotions affect the weather!"

Sage didn't respond, which was all the answer he needed.

"I'm such a genius!"

Another bolt of lightning.

"W-well, do you mind calming the storm? If the train got struck by lightning..." Tihana trailed off, staring out the window with wide eyes.

"I can't control it!" Sage exclaimed. "If you want me to calm down, maybe stay the hell away from me!"

A gust of wind shook the car, and her mentor fled out the door without another word.

Wolf lingered at the table, looking uncertain. "Are you gonna be okay?"

"Get out!" she practically roared in response. The boom of thunder seemed to convince him, and then Sage was alone in the meal car.

The storm died down a bit, but the howling wind still filled the silent vehicle.

You're a monster, it seemed to taunt. As good as dead.

"No," Sage muttered. No. I'll be free.

She laid down on the cushioned seats, repeating those words.

I'll be free.

It was a lullaby of hope, and her eyes slowly began to drift closed.

I'll be free.

Soon.

I must say, this chapter was very fun to write. Tribute interaction is the best! Please review and tell me what you thought of it! I mean, two people reviewed the last chapter. Two. Hats off to those faithful reviewers; you know who you are. So what do you think of Sage, Wolf, Tihana and Placido? Who's your favourite so far? Your least favourite? Did you spot any typos? Oh, and I'm thinking about switching this story to first-person. I would edit all the chapters to match. Should I? Let me know in the reviews! Wow, this was a long author's note. Thanks so much for reading!