Mags Cohen-District Four, age unknown (?)
Most Tributes from Four prefer to spend all their training time at the weapons stations. With the new sponsor system, they don't have to worry about supplies. I could use a trident as well as anyone else from Four, but it wasn't my favorite. It's one thing to spear a fish. Spearing a human is different. I'd do what I had to- I volunteered and I knew what it meant- but I wouldn't do any more than that.
The other Careers didn't know it, but I didn't plan to stick with them long. They were a violent and brutish bunch. I wasn't like them, and honestly, they'd kill me the moment they found out. There was a lot they didn't know about me. I never was one for idle speech. What came so easily to other people was a taxing process for me. Better to let my actions speak.
Jonah didn't mind when I told him my strategy was to lie low. I told the Careers I was going to specialize in supply gathering and healing, just in case. They laughed and brushed me aside, no doubt sure I would be the first to fall. I could see their point.
When training time came, I split off and settled at the fishing station. Of course, I didn't need much training, but practice is always good. I did learn about some new materials for fishhooks, mostly stuff we didn't have on the coast of Four. I spent the rest of my time at the fire-making, shelter-building, edible plants, first aid, and survival stations.
All my knowledge netted me a solid 7 at my private session. The rest of the Careers ranged from 8 to 11. I wasn't sure why I even volunteered. It was what my parents always wanted. I guess I wanted to make them proud. What a terrible reason to be proud of your daughter.
Jonah went over my strategy with me as we waited for my tube to descend. It was clear I couldn't rely on sponsors. My interview was a mess- I barely said a word. My score was only average for a Career, and I wasn't as pretty as Wish or as ruthless as Commodus. In all reality, I didn't have much hope. I waved a silent goodbye to my mentor as I rose out of sight.
The first thing every Career notices about an Arena is the Cornucopia. Everything else comes later. We were all shocked when we saw the usual bounty consisted of nothing but weapons. Every weapon imaginable was spread out before us, from blowguns to whips. Maybe Commodus was happy, but the rest of us knew the danger. Without supplies, weapons wouldn't be enough.
Wish looked at me with sudden admiration as the countdown began. It seemed I wasn't useless after all. Then again, I also just became her biggest threat. Immediately, my plans changed. The Bloodbath was no place for me. I swept my eyes across the Arena and took in my surroundings. It seemed a rather idyllic setting. Short grass surrounded the platforms, and there was a mountain in the distance. Behind the Cornucopia there was a lake, and tall grass rustled behind me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a wide river winding downhill into a valley.
I didn't hesitate when the gong went off. There was nothing I needed from the Cornucopia, and I took off toward the river. Wish darted in for a weapon and looked after me as I sprinted into the distance, then looked back at her companions and grudgingly turned away. The cannons started just as I reached the river.
I followed the water downhill until the curving earth hid me from the sight of the Careers. Only then did I slow, but I continued my progress until I found what I needed: a half-uprooted tree dangling over the river. I dug the mud out from between its roots and got to work making a fishing pole. A dead branch provided a start, and the younger roots were pliant enough for string. Two twigs lashed together with thread from my shirt finished the hook.
There were thirteen faces in the sky that first night. None of the Careers were there, but I wondered how long that would last. Right now, they were probably eating sweets sent to them by rich admirers, but that couldn't last forever either. As for me, I had a stomach full of fresh roasted fish and sweet water. I wasn't going to go hungry for a long, long time.
We actually know what Mags looks like, so make a picture of her old or young as you will. I don't know if I'll write about every named Victor, since I want to leave room for your OCs, but think of this like some weird foreign universe where they all exist but I didn't write about them and your 75 Victors are also there, for a total of about 90 Victors in 75 Games... somehow.
I didn't know why Mags didn't talk, so I decided she had mild aphasia before the Games and that mixed with elective mutism after due to trauma.