Cerise Ambersmith, District One Female (Age 17)

I made myself comfortable on the couch as soon as we finally got on the train, trying to shove aside my anxieties. For all I knew Jade was fully aware that I spilled and had her personal executor or some shit ready.

As soon as I won, she would have no power over me. Hell, if I wanted I could have her killed.

The train was luxuriously designed, perhaps even more so than the buildings of District One. The walls were reddish-brown oak and a glass chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a glimmering glow upon the compartment.

Of course, the future Victor's accommodations had to be nothing but perfect. The Capitol knew they'd probably come from One.

The door opened, and Chance, my District partner, entered the room. I didn't really know him well, he was kind of a loser. Rich friends but nothing interesting about him.

I guess he did well in training. Why else would he be here?

He sat next to me. "So, hello Cerise. Would you like to watch the Reapings?"

He was trying to be nice but it didn't exactly work in this awkward situation. I understood people. He was scared of me. Aw.

I almost felt bad for him.

"Yeah, that's what I was going to do." I muttered, picking up the remote and switching the television on. The one from my house was still bigger.

I sounded awkward too. What was wrong with me?

The screen lit up and displayed our square, and already showed Chance and I shaking hands. My smile looked genuine. It wasn't.

"Fuck yes, they got my good side." My highlighter was glowing, damn.

Chance let out a laugh. "Ha, I wasn't too worried about that on my part."

"Of course." I replied as District Two showed up. The escort called a boy's name and immediately a tall, glaring kid with dark skin and hair volunteered. Was he really tough or was it an act? My mind whirred.

Often, it was a combination of both. Before they died they always let their true colors show.

He introduced himself as Mars Ryker and said he wanted to make his District proud, blah blah blah. Same old, same old.

Then a blonde girl in a blue dress ran to the podium with a snarky little smile on her face.

"Jade Halite. You'll know me as Two's second Victor in a row."

Wait, her name was Jade? What the fuck?

"Oh, she has the same name as the mayor's kid." Chance remarked. No shit, Sherlock.

"Uh-huh." I rolled my eyes. It didn't matter but it was one weird coincidence.

The screen switched to the pretentious square of District Three. You could almost smell the geekiness.

First they Reaped a short girl who simply tried to seem stronger than she looked, then a boy who couldn't be older than thirteen. Both wouldn't make it to the final twelve judging off this.

Again, I almost felt bad.

Mars Ryker, District Two Male (Age 18)

Nobody said a single word to me so far. With Jade as my partner, that wasn't exactly a complaint, even if she was usually loud.

We sat in front of the television and waited for it to tune in. Since the train ride from Two to the Capitol was apparently only an hour and a half, they didn't worry too much about our luxuries, so our TV was slow.

"Come on, how does this dumb thing work?" Jade mumbled, pressing the remote buttons. Finally the screen lit up and displayed the square of District One.

The escort, a woman with sparkling silver hair and a tight white dress, selected a name from the girls' bowl, and all Hell broke loose.

I watched in shock as at least ten girls shouted "I VOLUNTEER!" and fought their way to the top. None of them could try to run for it without another dragging them back. It was a mess. Did One really always do it like that?

"Uncivilized whores." Jade remarked. A little harsh, but the uncivilized part was true.

A girl with choppy pink hair slipped between the rest of them and dashed to the podium without a scratch.

The escort appeared dazed. "Name, dear?" She asked.

"Cerise Ambersmith." She smiled at the crowd. "Your next Victor."

Jade rolled her eyes. "Please. She looks like me when I was thirteen."

I couldn't rise to her defense. She did have a baby face, and appeared to stand at only an inch or two over five feet.

I doubted she would be a real threat in the Games, which was good because I can't handle one Jade, let alone two.

"Magnificent! If you managed to get past the other girls I'm sure you have a good shot." The escort shooed her to the side, chose a second slip, and announced,

"Ri-"

"I VOLUNTEER!"

Instead of having a full on fight, the boys simply raced to the podium. A lanky kid with pale blonde hair made it first, grinning.

"Hello, sir, what's your name?" Moriah asked.

"Chance Garnet." He winked and the crowd, especially the girls, cheered. Nothing about him seemed out of the ordinary, I already knew what sort of tribute he'd be. A hit with the ladies who scored a nine or so in training but died before the final six.

Maybe I actually had a shot at winning.

Archibald Pell, District Three Male (Age 13)

I missed Sylvester and I missed my dad and I even missed the bunnies.

Once we boarded the train I let myself cry. My eyes burned and tears ran down my cheeks. I'd never see my family again, I'd never even hear from them.

Our goodbyes were quick and rushed. They never gave us enough time. In a few days I'd be dead and I wouldn't exist anymore. It terrified me.

I had no chance of survival and that was that. Why couldn't I accept it? I was good at accepting facts.

There was no scientific way to know what came after death, whether it was Hell or Heaven or an eternal unconsciousness. I'd be less afraid if I knew, but I think it's human nature to fear the unknown.

Three was at least a thousand miles from the Capitol so we wouldn't arrive until late that night. I'd learned it was further north than the rest of the Districts, so the computers wouldn't overheat.

The Capitol, on the other hand, was part of a rather temperate area a bit to the west, and surrounded by mountains on every side.

I sat at the dining table, stirring my tomato soup. Penny was actually being sympathetic and told me it would help me feel better. The soup was warm and rich, a million times better than anything I ever ate at home. Even if I was too miserable to appreciate it.

The door opened and Alatic walked in, scowling at me. Electra followed and gave me a warm smile.

"Tick, would you mind sitting next to Pell?" She asked, taking a seat on the opposite side of the table facing me.

Tick didn't say a word.

"Alright." She tapped her nails on the table. "How are you feeling? Nervous? Scared? Excited?"

Excited? This wasn't District One or Two.

"No." I responded stiffly, sitting up straight. "I'm scared."

Tick glared at Electra, who still had a big grin on her face. Didn't she know we were going to die?

"Tick? Any thoughts?"

She shook her head. Her facial expressions were stone cold. I bet she was scared too. All twenty-four of us were.

"What about strategies? Do you want allies?"

"Um," I hesitated. I forgot to think about this. "I'll probably try to stay under the radar. I might make allies, it depends on what the other tributes are like." My voice trembled.

How was I supposed to not break down during these few days? I still couldn't process what was happening.

"That's a good idea. Nobody ever felt threatened by me, but I made it out and they didn't."

But you were eighteen, I wanted to argue. You were strong, smart and tall.

I kept my mouth shut.

"What about you, Tick?"

She raised her head a bit. "Avoid everyone."

I mean, that was smart too. When you trusted nobody, nobody could betray you. Even if nobody backed you up when you needed it.

"So we've got two lone wolves over here." Electra remarked, tapping her chin. "Lone wolves do tend to survive the longest, though. Less alliance drama, more time to train, and you stand out more to sponsors."

How exactly would a short nerdy boy and an edgy girl from Three stand out to the Capitol?

Electra didn't have to act like we were dumb, we both knew they already labelled us as bloodbaths.

Warf Pollman, District Four Male (Age 16)

The One and Two girls were hot too! I would not mind sticking with them in the Games. The other guys weren't bad looking either, but I didn't have to worry.

Delphine picked a book off the shelf and was reading, fidgeting as she did so. Aw, was she nervous? I could comfort her. Even if she was a bitch.

"You're really hot, you know." I winked at her and she jumped a bit, her cheeks flushing.

"Please, for the sake of your reputation, shut up."

Huh? What the fuck did that mean?

"I think you're worth risking my reputation for."

She nonchalantly continued reading, not even looking at me. "Whatever."

I'd grow on her. And even if I didn't I had two backup plans.

The door opened and I whipped my head around to see Marvin and Mags entering the room.

"So, the Academy chose you two. A sixteen-year-old and a seventeen-year-old." Marvin grumbled. I began to feel uneasy.

"Yes, they chose me." Delphine confirmed.

"What about you?" Marvin asked, turning towards me.

I smiled. "I figured I could win early. I don't need to be eighteen."

Marvin immediately groaned. "Oh great, we have another one. Why do we always get the kids who ac-"

Mags raised her hand and he fell silent. Finally she spoke.

"I feel I should remind you, you were much like him in your Games." Her voice was soft.

"It rarely works out!" He exclaimed. "I won but usually, they both die! They're so certain they'll win even if dozens of stronger tributes have died! They never learn!"

"Calm down." Mags gave him a scathing look. "You're being unprofessional."

She was sort of hot. A little old. Anyways.

"You don't know anything about me. How do you know I'm gonna die?" I asked.

"You're sixteen and an idiot." Marvin stated bluntly. I was taken aback.

I snapped, "Still, you don't know anything about me." Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mags and Delphine giving each other knowing glances. Fucking bitches. They didn't know me!

He sighed. "Kid, I've known a million tributes just like you, and they all died. I'm here to help. If you pull your head outta your ass and listen you just might win. Do you want my help or not?"

I wouldn't admit it but I understood what he said. He probably assumed I was like every other overconfident Career.

"Fine." I sighed. "Just because you know what you're doing."

AN: This was such a fun chapter to write! I love getting to know these characters, and I love getting to write quick little snapshot POVs, mainly because I don't have the attention span to do one thing for a long time.

Sidenote: if you want me to give you a shout-out or submit to your SYOT, PM me, I know what it's like to be frustrated with a lack of submissions!

Here are your questions!

1. Favorite pair?

2. Have your opinions of any of these tributes changed?

Thank you for reading, and please leave a review!