A/N: Chapter 3 is here! Hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading! :)

Chapter 3: To Prepare

"I'm sorry" I begin, wincing even as the words leave my mouth. Could I sound any more pathetic? "If I'd just volunteered-"

"Then what? You'd be here, and I'd be at home watching you die" Naomi's words aren't malicious, if anything she just sounds tired. "I had time to think about it, back while we were saying goodbye to our families. I was angry, and still am, but not at you anymore"

"The Capitol?" I venture, and as I meet her eyes I see a strange fire in them, unlike anything I've seen before.

She nods. "This is their fault, not yours. It's too much, to ask you to trade your life for mine in a heartbeat like that. I was only mad at you because I was scared, I wasn't being rational. I can't blame you for not sentencing yourself to death" she says softly. I shake my head.

"That's no excuse. We're friends. That means something. What if my name hadn't been called after yours? What if I was the one who had to sit at home and watch?" I reply. It sickens me, but I have to tell her the truth. "After they called your name, I wanted to volunteer. I was just so scared, I didn't want to die. How terrible is that? I could've saved you, but I was scared. Friends are supposed to help each other, not leave each other to die" I say bitterly.

"Maybe so, but they aren't supposed to have to die for each other. This isn't something anyone should ever have to face"

"You would have volunteered for me" I murmur. I hadn't meant for her to hear that, but it's evident she did by the pained look on her face. Her silence tells me all I need to know.

"What's done is done. Maybe it's for the best that we're here together, if neither of us could stand to stay home without the other" she half-heartedly offers. She smiles slightly, but it's forced and doesn't last long. "Let's just go to sleep for now. Everything will make more sense in the morning"

I almost retort back that nothing has made sense since the Quarter Quell announcement, but catch myself in time. Naomi's right, we're both too tired for this.

We find our rooms fairly easily, and as soon as I'm alone fatigue hits me like a ton of bricks. I'm so exhausted that I barely remember to change out of my reaping dress into some pajamas that are thankfully not too hard to find. I collapse onto the bed, and my last thought before falling asleep is that I don't deserve a friend like Naomi.

I'm woken up by an alarm I'm certain I didn't set. I groan, flipping over to turn it off, only to realize it's over the loudspeaker system I didn't know the train had.

"Would all tributes and mentors please meet in the dining room for breakfast and a recap of the reapings at 8:00". It's Elanora, punctual as usual. I don't know how she manages to sound that awake this early in the morning. A glance out the window confirms that it's still dark out, far too early to sound as awake as Elanora does. She continues to remind us that that is in two hours, and that attendance will be mandatory. Like we're in school or something. I sigh, but start to get ready anyways. Now that I'm up, I might as well. I debate on what to wear, but eventually settle for the usual t-shirt and jeans. No point in dressing up for breakfast, there'll be enough of that in the Capitol.

It doesn't take me long at all to get ready, so I end up an hour early. I pause outside Naomi's door, but decide against knocking. If she's still getting ready I don't want to interrupt her. A small part of me tells me that isn't the real reason, but I ignore it and shove the thought into the back of my mind. I elect to head to the dining hall early, maybe there'll be a Capitol attendant waiting to serve breakfast. There's tons of them on the train, and they seem to have no other purpose than to serve us. Naomi and I ran into them last night, when we were walking to our rooms. The idea of having a servant is weird, but also kind of... nice. I may be from District 1, generally regarded as much better off than other districts, but we are nowhere near the Capitol's level of luxury. We certainly don't have servants.

Regardless, I hope there's at least some form of breakfast. I haven't eaten since before the reaping.

Turns out I was right. As soon as I walk into the dining room I see a servant waiting nearby. I'm the first one there, but as soon as I ask for a bagel, he rushes off to what must be the kitchen and quickly returns with what must be the fanciest bagel in existence. It's filled with nuts and berries, and is spread with a cream cheese that tastes faintly of strawberries. It's delicious and I scarf it down within seconds. I look up to order more, but the servant has disappeared, to be replaced by a face I know all too well. Elanora. I wonder vaguely how long she's been watching me.

"Well at least one of you has the decency to be early. Even if you do not have manners" she says haughtily. "At least wait for the rest of us before you begin eating"

I glare at her, but it's no use. She simply sits down at the head of the table and turns on the television on the opposite side of the table. It's angled so that everyone at the table will be able to see. Right now the screen simply shows the Capitol's symbol. I guess the reaping recap won't start until eight exactly. A glance at the clock on screen shows that that won't be for another half hour.

I can assure you, spending time alone with Elanora Elswood was not how I'd planned to spend my morning. It's an uncomfortable silence at best, as I sit there waiting while she drinks a cup of coffee daintily while reading a newspaper. Her fluffy lavender hair is all I can see. Thankfully I don't have long to wait before someone else shows up, though it isn't the person I wanted to see.

It's Brilliance. She must be this year's female mentor. I remember her games vividly. It was only a couple of years ago, and she seemed like just another career at the time. She kept up that act throughout the games, until the very end, when she betrayed the careers and even the male District 1 tribute, killing them all one by one. After that it was simply a question of tracking down the few tributes left and taking them out from a distance with her knives. She won with barely a scratch on her.

It was terrifying. No doubt that's why she's become a mentor so early. Usually District 1's mentors are older, since they've seen more games and watched other mentors to get a feel for how best to help the tributes. Brilliance is one of the youngest I've seen. She looks at me as if sizing me up, and then sits down directly across from me. I nearly shift in my seat, but catch myself, and instead look her directly in the eyes. If this is a test, I plan on passing.

She locks eyes with me for a minute, before leaning back and giving me a look of approval.

"You're not afraid. Good. I was worried you would be" she nods. "Any fighting skills? I know you weren't trained, so I'm not expecting that, but any kind of skills are useful"

I'm taken aback by her directness. It takes me a second to formulate a response. "I'm smart" I offer. If she's looking for physical skills, she's going to be sorely disappointed.

"I know. I've seen your record. But intelligence will only take you so far. Do you want to win?" She asked.

I don't know how to answer that. Yes, I want to survive, but at what cost? Murder? My friend's death?

Brilliance senses my hesitation. "There is no room for doubt in the arena. You will die" she says harshly.

"I'm alright with a sword, and I know how to set traps" I retort. All students in District 1 undergo a basic training class to test for potential candidates for the Academy. I wasn't very good at physical fighting, but I was great at memorizing how to set up traps and such.

Brilliance leans forward. "You have fight in you. That's good. But it won't get you anywhere if you don't drop the hesitation and-"

"Can we please not discuss fighting and such coarse things at the breakfast table!" Elanora suddenly slams down her paper. "Such unrefined things have no place at a meal!" She glares at Brilliance, who just glares right back. I get the sense that I'm stuck in the middle of two opposing personalities when I'm rescued by the entrance of Valor and an older man who must be the mentor for the male tributes. It takes me a minute to recognize him as Bastion, a previous victor of a game long before I was born. He and Valor are discussing preferred weapons types, which must be too much for Elanora to bear.

"There will be no talk of weapons, fighting, or killing at any meals while I am present! I am done! No more!" She screams. She pants, fake purple wig falling to the side slightly. "Now, if we can, let's all sit down and eat breakfast, shall we?" she requests, as if she wasn't yelling five seconds ago. Her smile is strained, but it's unnerving enough that both Valor and Bastion sit down without a word.

"Good! Now let us wait for our other tributes to arrive" she says delicately, taking another sip of coffee and picking up her newspaper again.

I catch a glimpse of someone standing in the entrance awkwardly. I can't help but smile when I see it's Naomi, and motion for her to sit next to me, which she does quietly, as if afraid to disturb Elanora. I don't blame her, sometimes Elanora seems more terrifying than the games.

Brilliance is watching her, no doubt testing her the same way she did for me. But for once in her life, Naomi seems completely oblivious.

"When exactly is breakfast?" she asks.

Brilliance looks as confused as I feel. "Is that really the question you should be asking?" she questions.

"Well, Elanora did just say we shouldn't talk about the games, so, I figured the next best thing would be breakfast". So not oblivious, just strangely calm about our situation. Brilliance seems taken aback by her attitude, as am I. Since when was she so nonchalant? I look at her, and she just shrugs.

"We will eat after the reaping recap, which starts at eight" Elanora says from behind her paper.

Naomi nods, and settles back into her chair. Slowly, the other three tributes find their way to the dining hall. The older male sits next to Valor and they begin talking in hushed voices. They must know each other somehow. Glisten arrives next, sitting to my left without a word. Brilliance seems to not need to test her, most likely because she's already proved herself at the Academy. They nod to each other instead, and I wonder if they haven't already met while training.

The young boy, Marble, I remind myself, is the last to arrive, only a minute before eight. Elanora raises an eyebrow at his nearly late entry, but doesn't say anything. He looks flushed, and I get the feeling he had to run to avoid being late.

Soon, the Capitol's anthem starts to play from the speakers, and the logo on the screen fades to a scene that's all too familiar. District 1. The reapings are played in order by district, which means District 1 is first. I watch as Glisten volunteers for Flora, and then watch as Elanora calls first Naomi, then me. I wince as I finally see Naomi's face on the screen, the pure fear that she was fighting not to let show. But it thankfully moves on quickly, showing the boys' reaping, then moving onto District 2. All six are volunteers, obviously trained for the games. They all look like candidates to win, and it's intimidating at the least. I feel a twinge of jealousy, obviously no one in their district had to worry about being reaped. Glisten and Valor are talking in hushed voices, but the television keeps moving on. Most of the career districts have volunteers, but they aren't the only ones who look like they could win. Most notable are a girl from 6, and a boy from 10. Both look strong and smart, and they glare at the cameras as they stand on the stage. I don't even want to think about running into them in the arena.

A couple others stand out to me. A boy from 5 sneers and curses at the cameras so much that they have to censor most of it. A girl and boy from 7 cry and hug each other on stage. Lovers, the announcer calls them, sympathetically calling it a truly tragic reaping. He refers back to Naomi and I as well, and I wince, wondering if our friendship will help or hurt our chances. Lastly, a boy from 11, supposedly a twelve-year-old, who looks like he could be ten at most he's so scrawny. I desperately hope for a volunteer, but the only sound is that of the wind in the nearby trees. Then the reapings end, and the announcer offers a couple closing comments, saying that this is bound to be the most exciting games of the century and reminding us to tune in later tonight for a complete look at the tributes and their mentors. I hear Brilliance shift in her seat at that remark and wonder why. But before I can wonder for too long the Capitol anthem is playing again and the screen goes black.

"We will be pulling into the Capitol shortly, but until then, breakfast!" Elanora claps, and that must be some kind of signal because the Capitol servants start bringing in platter after platter of delicious, mouth-watering food. It makes the bagel I had earlier look plain in comparison. Naomi and I exchange a glance before digging in.

I have never experienced true hunger like some tributes I've seen in the games. It's true, I've pretty much always had food on the table. But it's always food made in the district, with what we have. It's nothing compared to the delectable flavors of Capitol food. I'm careful not to stuff myself, but it's hard when there's an entire stack of those fluffy, light, syrupy pancakes right in front of me, that no one else seems intent on eating. I guiltily grab another one, defending myself with the idea that I might as well put on a bit of weight for the arena. I'm reminded of a pig being fattened for slaughter, but not even that image can stop me from slathering the pancake in as much butter and maple syrup as possible.

I do my best to try some of everything on the table, but before long I start to feel full and slow down. I look longingly at the bowl of fresh, exotic fruit that I didn't get to try, but eventually decide against it.

Just as I finish eating, a servant takes away my plate. I notice that everyone else is just about finishing up, and Elanora starts to speak again.

"We are about to arrive in the Capitol. When we stop, you will be escorted to your stylists and their teams to be made ready for your time in the Capitol. You'll each have your own prep team, but there will only be two stylists for each district. This will ensure that everything gets done quickly, but without sacrificing a uniform style". Now that's such an obvious lie that it's almost sad. There's no way they could've hired 66 stylists for just one game. Not even the Capitol could afford something like that. But of course they won't just admit that. So instead all three girls will have to share a stylist. Huh. I wonder if that's how they did it in that other Quarter Quell when they had 48 tributes.

Suddenly the train goes dark. For a second I think the power went out, but then I realize it's just because we're in a tunnel. And then I, along with the five other tributes, gasp. Because we're out of the tunnel. And in the Capitol. I've seen it before, on television, but it doesn't even compare to reality. The towering buildings, the colors, the people with strange hair and tattoos, I swear I even see a couple with cat ears, it's all so overwhelming. District 1 is nothing compared to this. We all rush to the windows, and that's when people notice that this is a tribute train. They start to wave enthusiastically at us, and I wave back, encouraging Naomi to do the same. The response is immediate. People point at us, taking pictures and cheering. Even Valor gets in on it, waving and smiling. I feel a bit sick, remembering that they're cheering for us to die, but they might also be the same people whose sponsorships save us. If even one of them has the money of a sponsor, it's completely worth the effort. But soon they fade away as the train moves into the very center of the city. Time to meet our stylists.