Well, we're about to enter the 'Pre-Games'…OMG! Fiiiinaaallly, well this chapter is just going to be a little reflection from characters and their first sight of the Capitol and all that shizzle; Like, I just watched the Nationals episode of Glee and cried so I've decided to write to try and regain some composure! :D

Now the poll remains open, for now… and I would like it if ya'll just fill it in so I know your thoughts!

So here we go with the Reflections…

Oh, and to my mysterious reviewer FACTINFO: I'm sorry that you misunderstood, this is the 62nd Hunger Games so Haymitch is eligible as mentor as are all noticeable Victor mentioned throughout the trilogy; the only exceptions to my understanding are Finnick, Annie, Cashmere, Gloss and Johanna… and of course Katniss and Peeta! Thanks for pointing it out though :)

Claude Dew, District 2.

I am a tribute in the Hunger Games, and I do not want to be one bit yet I volunteered for this; I just think about all the things which I'll be missing if I were to die: Marrying Iris, watching my baby grow and just growing old happy with the achievements I had accumulated over many years; truthfully this could still happen, my chances at survival are higher than most seeing as I hail from a 'career' district and I've been trained for the eventuality that I could end up playing this game. I've got the skills to eliminate my competition but I really doubt I have the conviction; It's only cold blooded killers that emerge victorious from the Hunger Games so no matter what may happen I'll end up losing even if I escape with my life intact because I am not a cold blooded killer.

I mean, I'm going to be a father; how can I walk around slaughtering people like those two harmless 12 year olds when one day that could be my child trapped in an arena and forced into a battle to the death. I try and breathe through this anxiety that has taken hold of me, if I have any chance of getting home: back to Iris and our child, to my family and everything else I care about I need to switch these emotions off and become a cold blooded killer; I need to slaughter indiscriminately and without mercy but it still strikes me as wrong and I doubt I'll be able to completely change my moral code in the week before the games begin.

'What you up to?' I snap out of the thoughts that had been consuming me, I direct my attention towards the door and see my district partner staring at me with such intensity that I turn away; Sandy Burghardt is not essentially beautiful with her muscled physique and dirty blonde hair she is quite plain and in all honesty looks like a typical teenager to be found in District 2 but there is something in those cerulean eyes of hers which is striking yet enigmatic; it's as though she looks into your very soul and at this precise moment in time I don't want her gazing into my very soul, I don't know what she'd find.

'Just thinking about strategy and potential allies' I don't want a conversation, hence why I came to my room but she just comes to sit beside me and laughs; the sound is sarcastic and I know straight away that she's seen right through my poor lie. I turn to face her and she quirks her eyebrow; an invitation for me to tell the truth and I don't know what makes me spill my guts but she seems like someone I can trust, a good person.

'I don't know what I'm doing here, I want to be back home: I was never meant to end up here.' It just erupts from me, everything I've been thinking and I find a sense of relief by telling her; they do say that a problem shared is a problem halved. Sandy just pulls her hair into a ponytail before reaching forward to give me a hug. I don't know Sandy that well in all honesty, from what I've heard she is slightly abrasive and sarcastic and therefore not the type to give hugs but I'm glad she is trying to comfort me.

'Okay then, first of all you can't change what's happened so look to the future: you have everything you ever wanted back home so fight for that and don't dwell on these things it'll just make everything seem worse. Secondly, don't let Enobaria find out you've been thinking these things or she'll rip your throat out, literally; If you keep letting your emotions show you'll look weak and that'll scrap any chance of you getting home. One question though: If you never wanted to come here then why did you volunteer?' Wow, well that is food for thought; even though she is seventeen and practically an adult that was very wise for someone our age and she's right, I need to toughen up; If I want to go home then I have to blank everything out but her question is something I don't want to answer; she looks at me imploringly, expecting an answer.

'Well, my girlfriend is pregnant and winning the games would bring financial security and everything we need for our family' It is the response I've devised to fend off any questions, I told my mentors the same thing but it seems that Sandy isn't believing a word of it; she's leaned back and crossed her arms against her chest and giving me a luck that screams: 'Do I look stupid?'.

'Don't feed me the same bullshit you fed our dumb ass mentors Claude; I do not believe that for a second. You're a Dew, your family is rolling in money; in fact you have more money than sense and your parents could easily give you your 'financial support'. So tell me the damn truth, oh and congratulations by the way.' Well, there is no use in lying to her is there? It's those piercing eyes of hers; she is a human life detector: we're going to be allies in the arena and so far she's been pleasant even if she's been blunt.

'I volunteered for my brother because his only 14, everyone thinks his ready for it but his not…I mean Liam has told me what it's like, the nightmares and everything; I wouldn't want him to endure that. So I volunteered, and however much I want to I cannot bring myself to regret it.' My voice begins to break, I saved my brother but it may cost me my life; Iris the love of her life and my child; their father. It's not right at all and I wish that it would just all disappear and I'd find myself back home but that will never happen; well it could, but 23 others have to die first. Sandy smiles and punches me in the arm, not violently but in a gesture of support and right now I really appreciate it.

'Thanks for telling me the truth Claude, that was a very selfless thing for you to do and I respect that. I hope you do well and for telling the truth I'll tell you something: Don't underestimate that girl from 5, however weak she may appear to be; well, it's an act so keep an eye on her.' She get's up to leave and although I am grateful for the advice that she's given me I don't fail to recognise that this whole conversation has centred on me spilling my guts whereas I've found out very little about my district partner. By now she is at the door, about to leave me.

'Sandy, why did you volunteer?' She turns and stares at me blankly, as if she doesn't know the answer to the question; I notice that she has removed her token from the pocket of her sweatpants and is twirling the plain silver ring around her fingers with incredible dexterity: the sign of a masterful knife thrower; but she places it back into her pocket and folds her arms as she stares at me and once again I feel uncomfortable by the intensity of her stare.

'That is for me to know and for you to find out Claude, see you in a bit.'

Greer Ballentine, District 3.

'So Leo, what are you basic strengths?' I study the scrawny boy before me, my ally; he is biting his lip and wringing his hands as if reluctant to tell me something which is wholly unfair; I've shared a lot with him since we made the decision to form an alliance: my efficiency in devising suitable strategies, my knowledge of electricity and incorporating it into traps like Beetee. I mean I've told him about things that are completely unnecessary to the games like my potential internship with Beetee and my turbulent relationship with my brother; the only way our alliance will be effective is if we trust one another implicitly and whereas I have demonstrated my trust in him, he has failed to reciprocate.

I am rather insulted, I mean we both want to prove District 3's worth yet he seems to be putting nothing into this, and does he not trust me? Does he really think so lowly of me that he anticipates me betraying him? I take a calming breath to soothe my rising temper and straighten the hem of the aubergine coloured skirt I'm wearing. The only things I know is that his name is Leonardo, he is 15 and that he grew up in one of the less economically developed areas of our district but that is truly not enough for me to go on; I need to know every factor, every extraneous variable which could affect the strategy we decide to use. For us to succeed everything has to be perfect, and if he doesn't decide to work with me then everything will fall apart and then we will both probably die. I take a calming breath and reach over to touch his hand.

'Leo, you can trust me; I promise I won't betray you and that I want us both to do as well as possible.' He looks up into my eyes, as if trying to find some note of deceit; murky brown meets pale green as we stare into the depths of one another's eyes; he sets his jaw as if he has made his decision and I smile encouragingly.

'I trust you implicitly Greer' I breath a sigh of relief, an alliance where one party doesn't trust the other generally results in disaster and I want to avoid any disaster whatsoever. He smiles at me and then begins to chew his lips as if nervous; Leo is a quiet boy, respectful and kind from what I know but there is something else about the boy; not many would notice but with my keen scientist's eye I can discern some other things about the young enigma before me: that passionate glint in his eye.

'Leo, I won't judge you for anything at all and if your not comfortable telling me than wait until you are. I don't want you to feel as though I'm pressuring you in some way, we're a team.' He nods his head at my words, his decision made and I wait with baited breath.

'Greer, by any chance do you object to playing with fire?' He is trying to gauge my reaction but I control my face; I'm confused as to how that would matter in the games unless it is symbolic. Does he mean taking risks? He must note my confusion as he elaborates but I notice a change in his voice it is stronger, laced with that passion I'd noted from his eyes earlier.

'Fire, as in the element. You talk about electricity being incorporated into traps, but how about fire?' That is an interesting thought and I factor it into everything else I know and I see the beginnings of a strategy forming in my mind and I smile; this year everyone will know that the District 3 tributes are a force to be reckoned with. We discuss various scenario's and methods for the next our or so and the plan is fully formed; all we need to do is discuss this with Beetee and make any adjustments he see's fit and then we're ready for the games to begin.

'Oh Leo, it's going to be perfect' I can't contain my enthusiasm as I jump from my seat and engulf him in a hug; Nash said I'd show the whole of Panem that brains beat brawn and I think this may actually be true if we can implement this strategy of ours. Leo is laughing at my exuberance; he is really coming out of his shell and I couldn't be happier, together we truly make a formidable alliance.

'Just the way you like it.' I laugh at his reference to my obsessive pursuit of perfection and to jest him even further I straighten his tie where I had knocked it askew when I embraced him; he just smiles and I feel an answering smile creep onto my face.

'Yes Leo, together you and I will be a blazing inferno. Just the way you like it.'

Autumn Thorn, District 5.

Since my encounter with Galen the previous evening I've locked myself in my room; I can't face the boy because if my plan is to follow through he has to die, there is no alternative. For the past years my one objective has been to enter these games and win; I've always been confident that I could do it but bit by bit that confidence has dwindled away to nothing; I was arrogant and presumptuous and I don't think I ever understood what I was letting myself in for. I thought I could hunt and adapt: I can but how will that help me when I am up against careers who know how to kill someone in about 40 unique ways; I'm a good actress but it takes it's toll and with the stress of the games growing and growing I can feel my façade slipping away to nothing but the stupid 17 year old girl I am.

I planned to win by manipulating others but how could I manipulate someone as sweet as Galen; I already feel awful that he has brought into the whole 'helpless puppy' act I employed and I'll never go near enough a career to manipulate them. I came to these games to win for my father, to get him the medication that would return him to the 'Papa' I have always known rather than the empty shell of a man that haunts our home; I took it as a certainty I'd win but the harsh reality is that I'll most likely perish like the nameless tributes in years past and my father will die, not knowing he is surrounded by loved ones but consumed with the grief that his eldest daughter died a horrific death. How can I have been so stupid to play a game of life and death without fully understanding the rules? The consequences?

'Autumn, we're almost there. You'll need to come out soon and grab some food; we have a long day ahead of us at the Remake Centre and maybe we could talk about strategy for when we're in the games.' It's Galen, his soothing voice makes me take a deep breath as if I had been in pain but his presence has alleviated it. He is too sweet, but unlike me he is not playing a game: he is genuine and if I am to win I can never be genuine; I'll never get to know Galen or anything and for some unfathomable reason that thought causes me great anguish but I need to win this and so I will push these alien feelings aside. I came to win, no matter what but what would I do if I found that I had to kill Galen? I instantly push that thought from my mind.

'Please Autumn, I want to help you but I can't if you lock yourself in the room constantly. Please' He sounds desperate and I feel something plummet in my stomach: He wants to help me, well to do that he must know the real me. I push myself off of the bed and pull on my clothes from the previous day and waltz to the door. I trust Galen, and together we could do well; I throw the door wide and Galen stands there stunned for standing before him is not the snivelling wreck of a girl he expected but the real Autumn Thorn: Standing straight with her head held high and her icy blue eyes not watering but strong and defiant.

'Galen, come in here. I need to tell you some things and I don't want anyone else finding out' He steps into the room, his eyes wide as if he has entered some form of trance; I hastily snap the door shut after making sure no one is in the immediate vicinity before walking over to Galen who has perched himself on the end of the bed. It's now or never Autumn; tell him quickly. But I can't so instead of confessing to my deception I kiss him and all my worries vanish, I deepen the kiss and he responds enthusiastically knotting his fingers through my auburn hair. I can tell him another time, for today I am the weak one; the fragile doll beneath his masculine grasp: but the longer I maintain this persona the more alienated he will become when I eventually tell the truth. I say that I can adapt and that I am strong but these are lies, I am a coward.

Iian Trescott, District 6.

Dari sits opposite me, chewing on a rasher of bacon as we listen to Ramona rambling on; Dari is very sweet in all honesty and although I understand the logic behind the function of the Hunger Games that does not mean I have to like the fact that young, innocent girls like Dari are forced into such a dire situation; it's simply sickening. Ramona on the other hand may seem annoying at first but once you look past the make up and the wigs she is an incredibly smart woman and she has been loading our heads full of knowledge while we wait to arrive at the Capitol and meet our actual mentor.

'So, you two are forming an alliance is that correct?' Ramona is looking between the two of us and I nod my head towards Dair; we are in an alliance but in this particular alliance it is Dari that will act as the mouthpiece, I'm learning to tolerate or maybe even like Dari and her religious quirks but that does not mean that I am willing to sit around and make idle chat. Dari continues chewing on her food and wipes her mouth with her napkin before addressing Ramona.

'Yes we are in an alliance and I've actually been thinking about a possible strategy.' Well this is definitely news to me, we haven't spoken about strategy whatsoever we'd just made small talk about our day to day live although once again it was mostly Dari talking and in many places I didn't understand what she was saying as she opted to speak in what I have christened 'religious riddles' about the sanctity of life and whatnot.

'I was thinking that seeing as I'm opposed to the murdering aspect of these games that I should specialise in survival skills whereas Iian should focus on combative skills in case we find ourselves in a confrontational situation.' What? Am I hearing her right? Is she blatantly refusing to kill anyone in the Hunger Games, what a ridiculous notion. I understand that she has her religious beliefs but when you're playing a game when the rule is kill or be killed you have to push such beliefs aside and do what has to be done; it appears that Ramona is thinking along the same line as me.

'Dariela, how on ever do you expect to win if you don't kill?' Dar looks affronted by Ramona's question, even though it seems like a perfectly logical question in my opinion, she purses her lips and folds her arms; I notice tears pooling in her eyes and although it is totally out of character I find myself wanting to comfort the young girl.

'Thou shalt not commit murder; it's one of the Ten Commandments and I will always live by them; I will not compromise my beliefs for the entertainment of the Capitol. In a world where we are ruled through oppression and dictatorship the only thing you have to hold onto is your beliefs and I will hold onto my beliefs steadfastly whether or not it results in my death. If this bothers you Iian you can always cancel the alliance, but before you do you must realise that I will be useful: Spy on other tributes, heal your wounds, find food. I genuinely think I could help you win.' Although all of this spiel seems totally irrational to me I can see how passionate about it all Dari is and I respect that; and as for the alliance everything she just said would be helpful.

'Dari, I would like to continue with the alliance thank you; your strategy sounds very impressive' She smiles at my words, but I can't help but feel anger and despair: despair that if Dari's plan comes to fruition then I'll have to watch her die and anger at the Hunger Games; Dari is sweet, kind and nurturing and under no circumstances does she deserve the fate that awaits her. We need more people like her in the world, but I can't help but admire her for her courage. Dari is aware that death awaits but rather than feeling fear she accepts her fate; they say only the good die young and this phrase could never be truer than when applied to Dari.

Haha, a little chappy for you all! Now, Claude's reason for volunteering? Sandy's mysteriousness? Leo and Greer and there little plans? Autumn's turmoil and then the kiss? Iian and his sentimentality, and Dari's confession about not killing? Let me know what you think and REVIEW!

Poll is still open! :D

Loves Yah, Lawrence xx

Oh and any requests as to who you all want to see in the next chapter? :)