Hello, hello! I am REALLY sorry it took so much time to update. I went on a camping trip and got heatstroke, so I was a little sick. This time the character intros are going to be different. Again. It's going to be the chariot rides for the next four chapters. Yes, character interaction!

I hope this is satisfying to all of you, and please review! I know most of the beginning stuff is boring but, people who review will possibly have their character's lives spared from bloodbath deaths. Aha, no. That would conflict with plotlines.

Oh, and I have a poll up on my profile asking who your favourite character is so far, go VOTE!

On with the chapter~

(Pup Tanner D9)

Ares, the only man in my prep team is trying hopelessly to comb my knotted hair. Pain shoots through my nerves as he yanks harder and harder. I bite my lip to keep from shouting at him.

"Oh, dear. Your hair really is quite the mess!" he chirps, running his finger tips along his shining navy locks, as if to say, look at me, look at me! I try not to give a cheerful giggle, but it passes my lips anyway.

I like the sound, a soft joyful chime. It's the first time I've even felt happy since the reaping. I suppose I have been quite driven that I was starting to shadow myself a little.

My other prep team members direct me to a spot across the room with what looks like a sink and a sort of lounge chair. I take a seat, and they lower my neck to the edge of the marble. I shiver as it makes contact with my skin, but my limbs relax as hot water pours through my hair and seeps near my neck.

As they all work through my tangles with silky soap and something called conditioner, I'm left alone with my thoughts, tuning out all the high pitched jabber.

I promised myself I wouldn't think about my family after the train ride, but it all flows into my mind so quickly I can't stop it.

"You're going to die in that arena, you know."`

Hawk's words echo in my ears for the twentieth time. My own sister! My own sister!

I can't fathom what I had done to earn her burning hatred for me. It was destined to be a rough day, being my first reaping and all, but when I was called, she turned a blind eye to me, as if I hadn't existed.

My fists clenched, nails pushing into my skin until, unintentionally, I draw blood. Pursing my lips to avoid wincing, I look out the large window to the Capitol. I can't help but gasp at how alien it all is. Narrow buildings, towering into the clouds. Hovercrafts cutting through the air, catching the sun in a brilliant way. The artificial yellows, periwinkles, magentas, and indigos of pedestrians bustling throughout the glinting streets.

My mouth stays agape, and the woman now drying my hair, Venus follows my gaze.

"Much more magnificent than your…what District are you from again?" she pipes, ever so blissfully.

"Nine," I reply, trying to maintain my patience.

"Oh," she doesn't even try to hide the disgusted look on her face. Shortly after this, Ares once again pulls out the silver comb. It glides through my hair gracefully now, and I have the urge to run my fingers along the strands. My hair has always been rather ragged, except for today. Ares then slips the comb back into his pocket, and spins the cushioned orange chair so that I'm facing my prep team.

"Take off the robe; we need to examine our work before Nyko comes."

I assume they're speaking of my stylist, so I stand up and reluctantly slip the robe from my body. The three of them stride in circles, eyeing me critically.

"I'd say we did a good job, but that's nothing new!" Venus trills confidently, flipping her hair.

They all proceed into a fit of chatter and giggles until a man I assume is Nyko bursts through the door, shaggy silver hair bristling as he walks. He gives a curt nod at me, as if to show his approval.

"Pup, isn't it?" I nod, "We can certainly work with you. You're quite adorable, which the audience and sponsors will love." he says, and I'm not sure what else to do but nod once again.

After a few short seconds Nyko has a large silver bag in his hands. He slips it from the handle, revealing what must be my outfit for the chariot ride.

It's an all black costume, with a fitted black dress, tights, a cape, and what looks like fake ears. The prep team suits it onto my body rapidly, and Nyko orders me to grab the cape and spread my arms out. I then realise, I'm a bat!

After Ares, Venus, and Rhiannon apply heavy dark makeup that makes my rounded features exceptionally prominent, slip the bat ears onto my head, and mould the flats to my feet, my male counterpart, Gerisho and his prep team come into the glistening room, announcing the rides are about to begin.

Gerisho is clad in what looks like a wolf costume. Tattered gray fur pants, black leather vest, glinting claws attached to his fingers, shoes that heavily resemble paws, and a black hood shadowing his face. I have developed a hate for Gerisho these past days, but I don't know why. I've never talked to him, but something tells me a sinister glare is hiding behind that charming grin.

When we arrive to our chariot, pulled by horses the same tan colour as my brother's hunting pouch, Gerisho's stylist tells us both to come across as calculating and deadly, but still charming enough for an alliance. I nod, because I really didn't have a clue how I should act on these rides before.

We take our seats in the chariot, and I'm able to get a better look at the other Districts this year. District One has two Career-like tributes, who are both wearing magnificent suits tailored with all sorts of luxurious contraptions. Gems, silver, gold, and so much more. They are positively glowing, and the audience is going berserk, screaming their names, throwing roses and blowing kisses towards them.

The other Career Districts, although quite predictable in terms of costumes, receive a little more than their fair share of screen time as well.

I also realise that this is the primetime to make alliances, as I certainly can't go into the arena alone. Continuing to scope through the ocean of tributes, I see a girl around fifteen or so, from District Three. Both her and her District partner look insightful, but the similarities stop there. He's muscled and charming, and she seems to have a quiet determination. I then remember the recap of her reaping. She volunteered, didn't she?

Euca Trinmon, I think her name was. I make a mental note to speak with her before she leaves for the Training Center later.

I then feel a gruff nudge to my arm, and I'm snapped back to reality. Stepping off the chariot and giving a slight, yet unreachable smile, I walk along the path set for us. For a tenth of a second mine and Gerisho's faces are on the screen, and we don't look half bad. Desirable, for sponsors and allies.

The screen then begins to flash to the other Districts, and we are at the end of the path. Jumbles of tributes stand outside the building, speaking to one another in all different tones. Gerisho departs to a group of people I assume will be the Careers, and I am left to scan the area for Euca.

I then see her, standing alone and tracing circles with her silver gladiator shoes in the gravel. She always looks so…drained, sad. I trot over to her, hoping I can cheer her up in a way.

"Hi, I'm Pup." I give her a genuine smile.

"Euca," she says in an almost inaudible whisper.

"H-have you thought of any alliances, Euca?" I ask, hoping not to sound too blunt.

"Honestly, I haven't… have you?"

I clear my throat, "Would you want to make an alliance?"

There's silence for a while, and just before I assume she's going to blow me off and leave, but she gives an acute nod. Her smoky black and gray dress swishes by her feet as she walks away.

(Gerisho Pan D9)

They buzz around me doing hell knows what, and all I can think about is how much I want this all over with so I can win and get back home. I'm going to get sponsors anyway, so what's the point of this shit show?

Okay, so there's hot girls running around in revealing outfits, that's one.

But aside from that, it's a shit show.

Before I know it my stylist, who's name is just as flamboyant as her appearance has said her introductions and is fitting me with a ridiculous wolf costume.

Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I know I'll be able to seduce any girl. Hopefully a Career, they're always hot.

I see blond curls brush my neck, and see one of the only members of my prep team left in the room spraying some crap on my chest. She calls it bronzer, or something.

"I'm Yara, by the way." she grins, batting her lashes.

For a Capitol woman, she's not much of a freak. Her shining hair cascades down her shoulders and her golden eyes aren't bulging. She doesn't seem much older than me, maybe on her early twenties at the most. She's actually…pretty attractive.

"Gerisho. You're a pretty thing." I compliment.

Before I know it, she's leading me down an empty hallway with glinting marble floors, and I'm jittery with excitement. It's been too long since I got a good make out session…

I tangle my hand in her hair, and our lips move in the same urgent rhythm. My hands are on her waist, and she rests hers on my shoulders. I resist the urge to smile as her eyes close.

"We're lucky…no one's found us by now." she gasps through her teeth. I wave my hand in dismissal.

But before we can continue, I hear the clack of heels on the floor, followed by an exasperated sigh. Yara pulls away from my chest and, hands on her hips, glares at my stylist, Ria who returns the look. Fuck.

"Yara, this is freaking ridiculous." she says, followed by a chorus of swears. " Come with me to Pup's prep room, we need to get to the chariots."

When mouse and I have been seated in the chariot and told to portray calculating and deadly, yet still approachable, I know I have a fantastic chance. I don't feel an inch of sympathy, or even empathy for the girl beside me. She's obviously going to die, and the time for worrying about that is over for me.

I stare for awhile at all my competition this year. I've already searched in terms of talent and strategy, so I decide I'll see what girls I can seduce.

The One girl is good looking, but seems to be attached to her District partner, so I cross that off the list. Two and Four are pretty as well, but seem too…subtle.

Three is easy to overlook, and Five…damn. Absolutely perfect. She's hot, hotter than any of the others, feisty by the looks of it, and probably immensely stupid.

I then realise it's our time to get off the chariot, so I nudge mouse and step down, giving slight waves to the audience. I catch a glimpse of us on the screen, but it only lasts for a second, at the very most.

When I reach the end of the path, I search the area for the group of Careers. Standing in the pack is both Ones and Twos, the boy from Three, the girl from Five, the boy from Ten, and the girl from Twelve. I stride confidently towards them, and they accept me into the circle immediately.

The District Five girl is screaming her ass off to the girl from Two, who is shrieking straight back. All the others stare in annoyance, but continue their conversations. I tap Five on the shoulder, and she swivels around, furious glare disappearing from her face.

"Hey, Five." I say, flashing a crooked grin.

"Nine. What's your name?" she asks, twirling her hair on her finger.

"Gerisho, and yours?"

"Bailey Gizer. Nice choice, joining the Careers." Bailey says slyly, giving me a wink.

I'll have her wrapped around my finger, and before she knows it…she'll be dead.

Even if she is hot.