True McKellar, 17

District 8, She/Her

June 8th, 97 ADD

6:47 PM

This is fucked up.

Honestly, it was a miracle True had restrained herself all day. The urge to kick the Escort's ass right then and there had almost overtaken her, but she'd held it together. She'd said her goodbyes to her dad and Lyric, holding her little sister while she cried, swearing over and over again that she would always be there to look out for her.

(The memory of her sister's tears was not helping her hold back her temper. Fuck that Escort for pulling her name and making Lyric cry like that. Fuck that little piece of paper with True's name on it. Fuck Panem for this fucked-up system. She wanted to throw something, maybe a chair-)

"True."

She blinked, then scowled. "What?"

Her Mentor was looking back at her. "Jude mentioned they were interested in going back to their room for the night. Would you also be interested?"

True glanced at her district partner.

(He was the same age as Lyric.)

Her throat tightened. "Yeah, that sounds good."

A few Avoxes began clearing plates from the table. "Would you like me to show you the way again?" their Mentor asked.

"Nah, we're good," True replied. She pushed away from the table and stood, and Jude followed suit. True was a full head taller than him.

"We'll meet back here in the morning to discuss everything," their Mentor said. "For now, enjoy the time to yourself."

"Okay," Jude nodded.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she and Jude echoed. Then, they turned and started to head back towards their rooms.

True was lost in her own thoughts until Jude said, "Are you mad at me?"

True stared at him. "What?"

Jude hesitated. "Are you, um-"

"No, I'm not. Shit, I'm sorry," True said. "Wait. Fuck. I probably shouldn't swear in front of you. Sorry."

Jude shrugged. "It's okay."

"I'm not mad at you, though," True said. "Mostly mad at everything else."

Jude nodded. "I still can't believe it's real," they said quietly.

True exhaled. "I know, right? Like… no one thinks it'll be them."

"Yeah."

"Can I ask you a question?"

Jude nodded.

"How many slips did you have?"

Jude swallowed. "Just one."

"That is fucked up!" True exclaimed. "Shit. Sorry again."

"I don't mind."

"I just…" True trailed. "I don't wanna be making promises. But I'll be real with you. You seem like a nice kid, Jude. And I don't wanna see you get hurt. So if you have any problems… come and find me, 'kay?"

(True McKellar was not one for charity cases. But with Lyric's teary eyes so fresh in her mind, she could not find the willpower to make the wise choice and completely distance herself from this kid.)

Jude's lip trembled. "Really?"

True shrugged. "I have a sister. It's what I hope someone would do."

"Thanks."

"Like I said, no promises," she warned. "I don't know about an alliance yet."

Jude nodded. "We can be… buddies."

For the first time all day, a smile brushed True's lips. "Sure. We can be buddies."

Jude smiled back. "Buddies," they echoed.

The pair had arrived at their rooms. It was time to split ways for the night.

"'Night, Jude," True said.

"'Night, True. See you tomorrow."

(And as True shut herself in her room, the urge to throw a chair across the room had lessened just a bit.)

Mendi Navar, 14

District 12, She/Her

7:08 PM

There was so much food.

Next to her, Tiernan was picking at his portion slowly, but Mendi couldn't help herself. This was her first full meal in four months. It was also her first meal with other people in four months, and as she ate bite after bite after bite, she could sense eyes on her.

Sienna broke the silence. "Mendi, can I ask you a question?"

Her mouth full, Mendi hesitated, then nodded.

"Your last name sounded familiar."

Without raising her head, Mendi glanced up at her Mentor.

Sienna bit her lip. "Is your family… the one that was in the news, a few months ago?"

Mendi swallowed. "My parents," she whispered, her voice hoarse from disuse.

Sienna nodded sympathetically. "I'm so sorry."

Mendi reached for a roll and took a massive bite out of it to avoid replying.

"I hope you had someone to stay with during this whole ordeal."

Mendi chewed her roll, then looked away and took another bite.

"What ordeal?" Tiernan asked.

Despite Mendi sitting only a few feet away, Sienna hushed her voice. "The murder case? From a few months ago? The one that led to all the extra Peacekeeper patrols."

"I didn't hear about it."

Surprised, Mendi glanced up at her district partner. "Really?" she whispered.

His cheeks reddened. "I, um, I'm homeschooled."

"Nothing wrong with that," Sienna said. "I was homeschooled for a while. It was nice to go at my own pace."

Tiernan nodded a little too vigorously. "Nice."

"Did your parents teach you?" Sienna asked.

Tiernan froze. "Yes." He cleared his throat. "So, uh, what happened in the case?"

(She noticed the change in subject. She was sure Sienna did, too.)

Sienna hesitated. "I'm not sure, ah, that we should… maybe another time. It's been a long day."

"Sorry. I was just curious."

Silence settled over them again.

(Just curious. He was just curious. They were always just curious. Everyone wanted to poke and prod and watch her family fall apart. Just innocent bystanders curious about her tragedy.

But the bystanders were not the innocent ones.)

"They're wrong."

It wasn't until Mendi glanced up and saw both Sienna and Tiernan staring at her that she realized she was the one who'd said it. Her heart started beating faster under their scrutiny.

"Who's wrong?" Sienna asked.

"All of them." She reached for a fork, tightening her fist around it. "He didn't do it. He didn't kill her or those other people. He didn't."

Tiernan's blue eyes widened. "Oh."

"It's okay," Sienna said. "We don't have to talk about-"

"Everyone always wants to talk about it," Mendi muttered. "So I'm talking. And I'm saying he didn't do it, but no one ever wants to listen to me."

"I'm listening," Sienna said, but Mendi caught the uncertainty in her voice.

"He didn't!" she shouted. "He didn't kill Mother!"

"Mendi-"

She slammed the fork into the table, wedging the prongs into the wood. "He didn't!" she shrieked. "He didn't want to leave me alone!"

Sienna bit her lip. "Oh, Mendi-"

"She isn't dead!" Mendi screamed. She stood, kicking her chair back, and reached for a plate. With a guttural cry, she smashed it into the ground.

It broke into a thousand pieces.

Rumi Valmorida, 18

District 10, They/He/She

7:57 PM

"This is going to be the last time I ask," Dimitri said.

"Shoot," Rumi replied with a grin.

"Dimitri," Mallory said, exasperated. "You can try again tomorrow."

"No. I'm not dropping this. Not the third fuckin' time."

Chevre coughed. "Sorry, what?"

"Three times!" Dimitri shouted.

Mallory sighed. "Dimitri is convinced District Ten is out to get him," she answered. "Which if it's out to get anyone, it's me, but-"

"Three," Dimitri repeated.

"Three what?" Chevre asked.

"Volunteers," Dimitri replied. "There was Ethan. There was Newt. And now this. What the fuck is in the water here?"

Rumi snorted. "Probably a load of cow shit."

"So that's it?" Dimitri replied, almost yelling. "You Volunteered because of cow shit?"

"Of course not."

"Then why?"

She shrugged. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you'll probably die!"

Rumi's grin froze in place. "Yeah, I know."

"You've got a death wish? That's it?"

"Of course not." Rumi shrugged. "I need the money."

"There are easier ways to get money," Dimitri replied.

"Dimitri," Mallory interrupted, "do you need to know right now?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because last time I let this shit slide, an underground cannibal ring happened and a nice kid got killed," Dimitri replied. He pointed at Rumi. "I'm not in the mood for surprises. Talk."

"Well, when your parents get themselves involved in said cannibal ring and get executed for it, money's pretty hard to come by," Rumi replied, crossing his arms and dropping the grin.

"You're fucking kidding me."

"When you and your twin brother don't have parents anymore and get split up, money's hard to find," Rumi continued. "When your new family treats you like shit and you run away, and end up doing strip teases for a living, money isn't easy to get. Happy now?"

Dimitri, Mallory, and Chevre all stared at them.

"So sure, there might be easier ways to get money," Rumi said. "But not for me."

Dimitri exhaled. "Alrighty," he replied. "I hope you're sure of your decision."

"I am."

"I'm sorry about all that, Rumi," Mallory said. "I… I know Ten can be unkind. I'm sorry it wasn't kind to you."

Rumi smiled at her. "Not your fault," they replied. "Besides, I liked the strip teasing part. Turns out I do pretty well in front of a crowd. Was about time I found myself a bigger one."

"You'll get one, that's for sure," Dimitri said.

Rumi clasped his hands together. "Perfect."

(They hadn't lied. They did want the money. She did want the crowds. But it wasn't all for Rumi. It was for Auberon.

No matter how many times Auberon insisted otherwise, Rumi knew he still felt indebted to them. She had saved him once, and it had affected the dynamic between them permanently. Rumi wanted Auberon to love him for more than a debt. She wanted his love to be real.

And they could make that happen. They could win a house, and more money than she knew what to do with, and provide a stable life of luxuries for the two of them. He could prove himself worthy of Auberon's love.)

(Love was all Rumi had ever wanted. And by Volunteering, they were going to win it.)

Chase Holloway, 15

District 5, She/Her

8:23 PM

For the first time in a long time, Chase Holloway felt very alone.

In the last few years, she had become used to being surrounded by other people. So much of her early years had been spent fending for herself that once she found her group, all she'd wanted was to spend every moment with them. So she had. Every day, every night, every meal and every heist, was spent in the company of the only family she'd ever known. Even when Spark had turned on them and Tye died, she hadn't been alone. Those who were left had run and started over together, and she had tried so hard to pick up the pieces.

(She had once been the homeless orphan in desperate need of help. She couldn't sit back and let the cycle continue.)

But now she'd been separated from her family a second time, and it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"What, um… what do you have there?"

A deep- but quiet- voice jolted her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the boy sitting across the table, his shoulders hunched but broad, a little too large to sit comfortably in his chair. It was just the two of them right now- Albert and Jarvis had left to discuss something. Chase hadn't paid attention. "What?"

He gestured at her lap. "I, um… I saw you had something."

Chase glanced down. She was still clutching her small teddy bear. She hadn't let go of it since she was shoved onto the train. "Oh. My token."

He nodded. "Nice."

"Do you have a token?" she asked.

He shook his head.

"Oh. That's okay," she replied. She squinted. "I… I don't think I heard your name?"

She wasn't sure how they'd managed to get through all the introductions and talking and dinner without exchanging names, but everything had been going so fast.

(She was used to it. Chase's life had never rewarded hesitation. What was the point in catching her breath when she was better off running?)

"Sorry. I'm Jest," he said. He extended one hand.

She shook it. "Chase."

"Nice to meet you."

Her eyes drifted down to his forearms. "Oh shit! Are those all real?"

"Wha-? Oh. Um, no. They're temporary," he said, also looking down at his tattoos.

"Damn. I would love to get tattoos."

He coughed. "Yeah."

"I think I would get a bear, like this one, because he's also named Chase and that's where I got my name. And a little wolf for my friend Tye, because he wore the wolf mask. And a deer mask for Wynter. And some gadget stuff. And I think 'YOLO' too."

"...Cool."

She cocked her head. "Would you ever get a real one?"

"No."

"What if we got matching tattoos?"

He blanched. "We just met. Today."

"That's fair. You seem nice, though."

"Thanks. Um, you too."

Albert walked back into the dining car. "Okay. Jarvis and I talked, and we're going to go over the plan for tomorrow. Then you have the night to yourselves. Sound good?"

"Oh, for the parade?" Chase asked.

"Yes."

She nodded, switching her brain to heist mode. "What do we need to know?"

Mercury Vidovic, 18

District 2, He/Him

8:34 PM

Mercury plopped down on the couch. "So, uh, ya wanted to see me?"

His Mentor had rearranged the furniture in the entertainment car to the point where it resembled an office more than an entertainment car. He sat in an armchair, a coffee table in front of him covered with files and papers. As Merc slouched, Qibli Vestron only sat up straighter. "Yes. There's a lot to discuss, and I believe the sooner, the better."

"Sure." Mercury glanced at the other armchair, where another guy was sitting back and relaxing, ignoring them. "Who's that?"

"That's Adan. Don't mind him."

"I… okay."

"So," Qibli said. "Given the… circumstances… in Two, I have not been able to work with you before you Volunteered. I have done my best to research, however."

"Research what? Me?"

"Yes."

Mercury smirked. "What'd you learn?"

Qibli squinted down at his files. "You are a leading member of a criminal organization in District Two that was once led by your brother and your father. Both are deceased. You do a great deal of smuggling and blackmail, and your organization has participated in much of the recent violence in Two. You have no formal training. You own a motorcycle."

"Wonder."

"Excuse me?"

"The bike's named Wonder," Mercury clarified.

Qibli made a note on one of his papers. "There's one detail, however, that I cannot figure out."

"And what's that?"

"Why you Volunteered."

He rolled his eyes. "Does it matter?"

Qibli frowned. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I doubt that you take this seriously."

Mercury shot up off the couch, towering over Qibli's makeshift desk. "Of course I take this shit serious," he snapped.

Qibli was unintimidated. "Prove it."

"This is my only chance to find out what happened to Dad," Mercury said, terse.

Qibli flipped through his stack of papers. "Your father was killed by a rival-"

"No, he wasn't," Mercury interrupted. "Somethin' fishy happened. And Two doesn't have info. So if I go to the Capitol, I can find out more."

Qibli blinked. "...Interesting."

Mercury dropped back onto the couch. "It's the only way," he muttered.

Qibli cocked his head. "...I have an idea."

"Sure."

"I propose an exchange."

"A what?"

"I will help you investigate, to the best of my ability," Qibli said. "You share your information with me."

Mercury perked up. "Really?"

Qibli held up a hand. "In exchange," he continued, "you take the Games seriously."

Mercury bristled. "I do."

Qibli raised his eyebrows. "The research suggests otherwise."

Merc lunged forward. "Now listen, you little-"

Qibli leaned back. "Do not touch me."

"Then stop being a dickhead," Mercury fired back.

"This may be my first year," Qibli replied, "but I intend to Mentor you to the best of my ability. I'm being honest with you. Now, if you'd like to tell me about your father's death, so I can help you accomplish your goals here, please do."

Mercury stewed for a moment, staring at Qibli, but Qibli didn't back down. "Fine," he muttered. He gestured at the files. "You have the official papers on what happened. But here's the other side. And it all comes back to this guy called Teurian…"

Brizo Windrake, 18

District 4, He/Him

10:15 PM

Unable to sleep, Brizo wandered from his room to the entertainment car. He'd been in there earlier with Tisiphone, Finnick, and Birch to watch the Reapings, and he remembered seeing some interesting decorations on the walls. Old arena maps, photographs of Four's Victors… he had nothing better to do.

However, he walked in to find that his idea was not particularly original.

Tisiphone sat on the couch, her legs crisscrossed and a blanket pulled around her shoulders. She'd pulled her long, dark brown hair away from her face and cupped a mug in her hands. The floor-to-ceiling television was on, but the sound had been turned down and the subtitles were on.

She looked over at him. "Oh. Hello."

He shrank back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No! It's okay," she rushed. "It's fine. You don't have to leave. If you don't want to."

Brizo hesitated, studying her for a long moment.

(Brizo had met plenty of unkind people in his life. He'd also met many people whose gaze seemed to stare right through him as though he was invisible.

He hadn't met Tisiphone before today, but right now, she was looking right at him. She could see him. And there was not an ounce of malice in her face.)

"...Are you sure?"

"Yes."

He took a few steps closer to the couch, but didn't sit down. "What are you watching?"

"Oh. Everything that's on is about the Games," she shrugged. "I was flipping through the channels to see if there was anything useful."

"Was there?"

She sighed. "Maybe. I keep getting lost in my own thoughts."

Brizo wandered over to a plush armchair. "I get that."

(Thunder rumbled deep in his mind. Brizo forced it back.)

She cocked her head. "You know… you're a little different from how I thought you'd be."

He'd been about to sit down, but instead froze. "What?"

"Not in a bad way," she reassured him. "I just… after the storm, and what happened in your Wilderness Trial…"

His jaw tightened. "I see."

(Below average. Forgettable. Scrawny. Short. Wait, who are you talking about? Never heard of him.)

Tisiphone's eyes widened. "I promise, it's not in a bad way."

"Then what kind of way is it?" Brizo asked, pressing his lips together.

"You're more… grounded," she said. "I thought you might be, um, a lot flashier. Like them." She gestured to the screen, which switched from a clip of District One's tributes to Two's.

"Are you sure that's a good thing?"

She shifted to the side, readjusting her leg a bit. "To me, it is," she replied.

"Oh."

"I really didn't mean to offend you, I promise."

Brizo released some of the tension in his shoulders. "Okay."

(Truth be told, she wasn't what he was expecting either. All the people he'd trained with were louder, more dramatic. Tisiphone was serious and reserved.

He found that he didn't mind at all.)

Brizo settled into the armchair. Tisiphone's eyes finally left his face as she turned the sound up a bit more.

They spent the rest of the night in comfortable silence.

choo choo! god i love train rides. i will see you next time at the parades with jest, zinnia, bastet, bryony, aescelin, invincible, and esper :) then we get to shift to training and get into some longer povs! i am looking forward to that. hopefully next update is not too far away as i have now escaped another semester of college but we'll see lol.

aaand that's all from me today! see ya next time! haha...

rb