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Ines Maiva
District One Female, 18 Years Old

"This place is really ugly."

Tapping the weight on the ground with my foot, I stare at the trainer, who's only response is to stare back at me. I make a face, raising my eyebrow, yet he still doesn't respond. Shrugging my shoulders, I go back to talking to him, seeing as there's no one else to speak to.

Apparently, I'm not the most approachable person.

For the Careers, mostly. They only one that attempted to speak to me was Larron, and even then, it lasted for about thirty seconds. Perhaps that's why I don't have any allies, but frankly, I don't care. If I'm somehow supposed to ally with someone, the supernatural forces of the Capitol will put us together, right?

Or is that bullshit too?

So, for now, I'm alone. Well, actually not alone, since I have the trainer with me.

"It seems like a work camp in here. And, let me tell you, I've seen what work camps look like. I've probably slept in a few from time to time, so."

"Do you honestly think he cares?"

At the sound of a voice behind me, I tilt my head, making a face to the trainer. He just stands there expressionlessly, as if our past three days together meant nothing. He might not reply to me at all, but it's nice for him to listen. Slowly, I turn around, seeing the District Five girl standing there, a disgusted look on her face.

"What did you say?" I ask, looking her up and down. "I wasn't listening."

"Neither is he," she retorts, and when I look closely, I don't like the way she speaks. Her tongue hangs out of her mouth, with it pushing right against her teeth when she closes her lips. "What are you looking at?"

"I don't like your mouth."

"I don't like how annoying you are. Seriously, go do something and not just stand there like a lost puppy. What about the Careers? Were you rejected by them?"

"No," I answer truthfully, since they never even really bothered to ask me to ally. I would have declined, anyway, since they are not my types of people. They all have that sheep type of mentality, one that I absolutely despise.

Seriously, don't they get bored of doing the same thing year after year? It's a poor strategy, if you ask me, for all the strongest tributes here to congregate. You're basically asking for betrayal and for a self-destructive alliance.

"Then what?" She asks, and only at this point do I remember her name. It's Clara, which is a horrendous name. Cashmere wouldn't stop babbling about Clara, another District One victor, so that name is now ruined for me.

Thank you, Cashmere. Thank you.

"I just don't want to, is that a problem?" I say, getting edgy. I make a hand gesture, actually confused as to why she's wasting her time standing here. "Where's your alliance?"

"I don't have one."

"Cool."

Turning my back to Clara, I go back to leaning against the table, tapping the weight on the ground with my foot. The trainer is still standing there, and I smile at him, hoping that Clara is already gone by the time I look over my shoulder. Giving her the silent treatment might not be the best idea, but it always worked for me in District One.

If you don't like someone, don't talk to them.

And if you really don't like them, you're allowed to have a little fun. Mock them, if you must, or ridicule them. That will get your point across.

"Is she still there?" I whisper to the trainer, putting my hand in front of my mouth just in case. "I hope she left."

When it's all clear, I go back to being more relaxed, glad that Clara finally left. I still don't see why she came over here in the first place, but by her mentioning the Careers, I can't help but look at them. In one corner of the Training Center, they're all there, now with the girl from District Six, Liora.

I overheard Larron talking about her to Cashmere and Gloss. Larron tried to be nice about it all, but you could hear it in his voice that he's not a big fan. Neither am I, even if I don't know anything about her. It's people like her that make me sick.

Pretentious. Intrusive. Attention-seeking.

She's only there to prove something, right? Why else would she want to join the Careers? She has her arm hung around Trent's, while Caelia eyes her up and down. Darien and Larron just kind of stand there, while Darya is off to the side. Just like what I thought, I can tell that alliance will be a shit-show.

I give it two or three days until it implodes.

I don't need them, anyway. I don't need anyone. Not for the Hunger Games, that is. It's all about survival, and trust me, I can survive on my own. Being kicked out of my house about a year ago from my mother taught me quite a few things. It wasn't easy at first, but I got used to it and I kind of preferred it. I was away from my mother, the domineering and outright ridiculous woman that constrained me to my house.

With her, I didn't like the way I was living. While I was on my own, I felt better. I felt free. Liberated, even.

What will be different about the Games? I'll be on my own, won't I?

I can do this on my own.

I don't need to worry about anyone else's slack. I'm here for me, after all. There's no turning back at this point, either. I chose to volunteer, to put myself on that stage and go into the Hunger Games. I went against all odds – my mother, in particular – to do this.

To train in the first place. To become my own person. To mold my own path in life. That's why I volunteered, I suppose, or maybe it's something completely different.

I'm not entirely sure on why I'm here, but I'm here now.

And I'll make the best of it.

Trent Ethillion
District Four Male, 18 Years Old

"She isn't my ally."

"Who?"

"Liora."

"Yes, she is."

Caelia lets out a cackle while flipping her hair over her shoulder dramatically. She shakes her head, directing her attention where Liora is. She was following me around earlier – which is completely fine by me – but now, she's all attached to Larron.

Which is still fine by me, I suppose, but Larron needs to know she's mine.

"No, she really isn't," Caelia says. "And since she is not my ally, I can kill her."

"No, you can't," I reply, shaking my head. "Or else I would kill Darien."

Caelia rolls her eyes, as if there's indifference in her towards Darien. That even if though he's her District partner, she wouldn't even care if I killed him. I would, too – kill him, that is. I would never kill Darya, even if she ignores me half the time and chooses to isolate herself.

Or maybe I'm overthinking it.

I always tend to do that.

"I'm getting bored of you, Trent," Caelia says, departing from the last few minutes of talking about Liora. I never expected Caelia to like Liora since they clash too much, but it was worth a try. Liora's staying either way and I can assure that. "You're lucky today is the last day of training."

As I begin to back up, I face her, holding up my hands. "Have your time alone, Caelia. And if you want me, you know where to find me," I say, winking at her. She smirks, and as she goes back to her weapons, I linger for a moment.

She really is good looking.

Not as good looking as Liora, though.

For a moment, I have the urge to actually train with weapons, but that's quickly put to the side once I see Darya near the spears again. Ever since the first day of training, she's invested all of her time in those spears. I tried to help as much as I could, really, but she's still there.

There's not much you can do after a while. I'm sure she's good enough, anyway. All she has to do is kill, not show us any tricks or anything. It's not that big of a deal.

Just as I make my way towards Darya, Liora and Larron come over as well. Caelia's still off on her own, and Darien – well, I really don't know. He's probably off to the side somewhere just sitting there, cracking jokes to himself. He's lazy like that, and when I think about it, I've never really seen him pick up a weapon.

Maybe that's why I don't like him.

He's useless.

"Allies!" I call out, reaching out to grab Larron by the arm. I wrap my arm around his neck tightly, squeezing him right into my chest. "What's up?"

"I don't like this," Larron mumbles, but I ignore his plea for me to let go of him. I wink at Liora, who returns it with one of her to-die-for smiles. Darya turns her back to us, picking up another spear and tossing it towards a target.

"Good morning, Trent," Liora says, and as I let go of Larron, he immediately fixes his hair. He pats it down, swooshing it back to the side. "District Two doesn't want to join us?"

"I don't blame them," Darya utters, not even glancing over her shoulder at us. We all go silent, watching Darya tossing her last spear from her collection at the target. It hits right in the center, and once Darya turns around, Liora claps. "What weapons do you like, Liora?"

Liora raises an eyebrow, casting me a look. I never actually thought about whether or not she could kill, or use a weapon at all. "Knives. Quick and easy, you know?"

"Care to show us?" Darya asks, her voice monotone like usual. "You've been gawking at me, so it's only fair."

"I'd love to see that!" Larron pipes up, who is someone else I really don't know could kill if it came down to it. I've seen him working with some weapons here and there, but it was nothing spectacular.

Liora clears her throat, stiffening up a little. She lingers for a moment, looking at the ceiling and then back at Darya. "I would, really, Darya, but I like a little mystery. I wouldn't want to give away everything I can do all at once."

Darya chuckles, the laugh not really escaping her throat. She nods her head, saying, "Oh."

"Shouldn't we talk strategy, anyway?" Liora asks, looking at me, probably wanting me to jump in on the conversation. I nod my head, raising my hand, hoping that Caelia and Darien see it from wherever they are. It takes a few seconds, but eventually, I hear a few footsteps from behind us.

"Aw, the gang's all here," Caelia says, and as she gets closer, I hope she doesn't start anything with Liora. Just like Liora said, now is the time to talk about strategy. This is the last time we will all be together until the Bloodbath, anyway. "What's the gathering for?"

"Strategy," I say, directing the conversation already. "I expect each of us to make two kills each other in the Bloodbath. That'd be a grand total of twelve, yes?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Caelia replies, nudging Darien in his arm. "Darien and I will pick up the slack for anyone who fails to meet that requirement. I won't say any names."

"It may or may not start with an 'L'," Darien adds, making Caelia and him laugh to themselves. Although I know they mean Liora, I won't entertain their nonsense.

"Are you two done?" Darya snaps, the tension between Darya and the pair from District Two making itself more apparent. I don't blame Darya either, since Caelia and Darien are kind of grating. "You can be children on your own time."

"This is mytime, Darya," Caelia quips. "I didn't volunteer for someone else to take the spotlight."

"That will get you killed," Darya mumbles, but I see this as a time to stop their fighting. It's annoying, and to be honest, it's not funny anymore. I used to joke around too, but I realize where we are and that there comes a certain point when you have to stop.

Now, we have to get serious.

That doesn't mean I can't flirt with Liora, though. I will always do that.

But, I can't let her get in the way. I can have all the fun I want, but when it comes down to it, I still have to win. I still have to return home, to come home as a victor.

That's all I've ever wanted.

To be something.

Riel Seiholdt
District Nine Male, 16 Years Old

Ardell stands at the same station, only a few inches from me. She's hunched over, playing around with some of the supplies here. There are crushed up leaves, some rocks, and some berries. She has her shoulder to me, and even though I prefer this whole detachment from each other, it doesn't feel right.

This is not what our mentors meant by trying to get to know one another. Dakota and Amaranth requested we work on survival skills today, seeing as it's the last Training Day and all. We've been here for about an hour or so now, and yet, we haven't said a word to each other.

Does Ardell really not want to speak?

I don't blame her.

I wouldn't want to speak to anyone here. The Careers, for example; they're all egotistical and treacherous. They lack any empathy for their allies, all being selfish with wanting to ally. They'd kill each other in a heartbeat if it meant they could win. And, if there are any other alliances here, they're all the same.

No one actually cares here. We all just want to get home – to return to our District, to our families. That's all that matters.

"Are we just going to completely ignore each other?" I ask, and Ardell doesn't even flinch or look over her shoulder. She remains on her own, crushing some of the leaves in a ceramic bowl. "Ardell?"

I understand where she's coming from with this whole detachment from anyone else. I can assure you that most people here are living for themselves, not wanting to get too attached to an ally, or make any friends, for that matter. Me?

I don't know what I want.

Do I want an ally? A friend? Or do I not want any of that? Do I want to go in alone?

"Ardell, you could at least tell me that you don't want to be friends," I say, my voice gradually getting softer and losing the eagerness. "I'm not even sure why I'm speaking to you in the first place."

"Oh? You don't?" Ardell snaps, this being the first words I've gotten out of her. "Do you think I'd want to ally with you?"

"Oh, please," I reply, getting defensive. "Who said I was interested in an alliance?"

"Why else are you here? To talk to me? To befriend me?"

And those questions stump me. Because, really, is anyone ever interested in finding a friend here? To actually start to trust someone? To want to get to know someone?

No. This is the Hunger Games.

There's no room for friends.

I'm not even sure why I'm bothering with her, anyway. I'm only doing it because Dakota and Amaranth brought up the idea, and then, it didn't seem like that bad of an idea. That's before I realized what Ardell is actually like, though. I have nothing to prove to her, so I still don't see why I'm standing here trying so hard to speak to her.

I don't have to talk to anyone.

I don't have to impress anyone.

"Right."

"Is that all you have to say?" Ardell asks, finally looking over her shoulder at me. She has a smirk on her face, a stand of her hair dangling in front of her eyes. "I was only getting started."

"As I said, you can just say no," I say, getting fed up with the way she's going on. She's acting if I was intruding on her personal time, while we were at the same station for a while. We are District partners, aren't we? Shouldn't that mean something?

Even if I don't want to mean anything, it kind of does. It always feels like there's some loyalty pact between District partners, where you would never even think about betraying them or killing them. You are from the same District and betraying your own partner would give Panem the wrong image.

But, I'm not obliged to anyone.

Not even myself. I can do what I want.

"I never said I wasn't interested in an alliance," she says, the tone in her voice shifting. "I was just asking if you thought I would want to ally with you."

What does that even mean?

"Don't try any of your little mind games on me, Ardell."

"Aw," Ardell quips, the smirk on her face growing. "Did I offend you?"

I'm really trying here, but Ardell isn't reciprocating. Is she trying to prove something here? Whatever it is she's trying to do, I don't understand it. It's just wasting time and making me get fed up with her. Why am I here in the first place, again?

I'm the one still standing here, trying to talk to her and to dive deeper into who she is.

It's rather hypocritical of me.

Turning away from her, I prepare to walk away, not sure where else this could possibly go. We'll go back and forth for a little more probably, all resulting in the same way. I tried, though, and that's something I rarely ever do. I never try with people – they're all the same. All selfish people, all with ulterior motives.

Ardell probably isn't any different.

"Where are you going, Riel?" She asks, and I stop in my tracks, not looking back at her. "We could ally."

"Are you sure about that?" I ask, not even joking when I say it. From what I can tell, she's indecisive, prolonging this whole thing just so she can make up her mind. "I don't need any more games."

"This is one big game, isn't it?" She says. "But, I love games. Don't you?"

I look back, seeing that she's facing me now. She's standing there, her arms crossed over her chest, her chin raised a little. We stand there, a grin growing on her face. I nod my head as we both go back to working with this station.

I guess that's it, then. We're allies.

And maybe she'll prove me wrong.

Maybe she'll be different.

I doubt it, though.

No one will ever change my mind.

Zimmer Hexley
District Six Male, 18 Years Old

"Oops."

The sound of the supplies falling to the ground distracts everyone, all of their eyes now stuck on me. The paper rolls to the ground, the wires get all tangled, and the metal bowls go rolling to the side. I step to the side, laughing out loud, waving my hands in front of me. Everyone is still looking, looking at the mess I just made from knocking this whole station over.

"Well," I say rather loudly, smiling to everyone. "What's everyone looking at?"

Everyone begins to look away one by one, and although the trainer near the station offers to help me clean it all up, I shake my head. This was my mess, after all, and I'll take responsibility for it. This isn't the first time I've ever made a mess either, so it's whatever.

I bend down to begin to clean all of the supplies up, but some of the bowls have gone too far for me to reach. Gathering all of the wires and paper together, I am then about to go for the other stuff, but I see someone standing in front of me. Two people, actually, with one being a female and the other a male.

It's the girl from District Ten and the boy from District Five.

"Hello!" I initiate the conversation, seeing the male picking up the rest of the stuff for me. "Thank you, thank you. I made a mess," I say, laughing, making the girl from Ten smile.

"We're here to help," she says, her voice sounding sweet and friendly. "This is Garret and I'm Taima."

"I am Zimmer," I reply, standing back up completely now. I nod my head, holding out my hands when Garret is done collecting the supplies I dropped and I put them back on the table. "What made you come over here? Not that I don't want you here, but no one really has spoken to me yet. I've tried talking to other people, but, nope."

"You sure do talk a lot," Taima comments, giggling. "We're here to help, like I said. Help in ways more than this."

"What do you mean? I don't need any more help – or at least I don't think so," I say back to her, confused by what she means. Does she want to ally with me? I've never spoken to her or Garret before, so why would she?

I don't mind. I like talking to people and allies could be of some use.

"Garret and I would like to know if you're interested in being a part of our alliance."

"What's in it for me?" I joke, smirking and resting my hands on the table.

"It'll make you look good," she replies. "And we can help each other survive."

Nodding my head, I say, "That sounds pretty convincing. Do you have anything to say, Garret? You seem so quiet over there. I don't bite too hard."

"Yeah, we'd like you to ally with us," he says, looking over to Taima who looks back at him. She nods her head, and he continues, "We'd really like it."

"Then, that's it!" I say, holding out both of my hands for both of them to shake. Taima grabs my left hand and Garret grabs my right, and in unison, we shake. "I am now your ally. May this be the best decision you have ever made in your entire life."

"I'm sure it will be," Taima utters, her voice still sounding as friendly as it did before. She's a really nice girl, actually, even if she seems more controlling than Garret. I'm not one to be a follower, so with her, I better be able to still be my own person.

I'm here to control my own actions. To be my own person, not to be a follower and conform.

Taima and Garret come closer to me, going to the station where I was just playing with. It's a bunch of wires, paper, and a few extra supplies in the bowls. I'm not really too sure what this is here for, but it seemed fun and even if I dropped it, I learned something from it. The red wire goes to the yellow, not to the green, and the paper only works with the blue.

Taima and Garret really do seem like nice people. That they would come over here to talk to a complete stranger, going right to asking them to ally. I appreciate it, though, since in the Hunger Games, allies are a necessity. I never thought about forming my own alliance, but now that Taima asked me, it worked out well.

Maybe now, I can do better in the Games. I can people watching my back, and in return, I'll watch their back.

As I watch Taima and Garret chat with each other, my mind drifts back to District Five where my other friends are. Vita, Quinn, and Adrien. I wonder what they are thinking right now. They're probably worrying about me, right? If I could tell them, I could tell them that I'm doing well and that it's not as bad as it seems.

Sure, the Capitol might be all nincompoops, but it's a beautiful urban city. It's nothing like District Six could ever attempt to be, although I did love my own District. It's just that you can't compare the two.

"What are you thinking about over there, Zimmer?" Taima asks, looking over her shoulder. "Awfully quiet."

"Home."

"I do too, but it's not good to dwell, huh?"

And maybe she has a point. The past is the past, with District Six being my past and the Capitol and the Hunger Games being my present and future. I can't do much about that, so I have to make the best of it. I have to enjoy it, put a smile on, and continue being the Zimmer that everyone knew and loved back in District Six.

I can do that. I can joke and laugh. I can have fun and smile.

What's the point of living if you don't laugh often and have fun?

Author's Note:

And that concludes the Training Days!

Next up is the Private Training Sessions and Training Scores, so be on the lookout for that, which will be in about a week or so. Depends on if I feel like writing or procrastinating.

Anyway, questions:

What did you think of these tributes? Anyone stood out?

Do you want to see more of some of the tributes?

What do you think of the alliances? Any predictions on training scores?

And that's about it.