The Scores
Aurelius Charmichael with a score of… 10!
Becky Sloan with a score of… 9!
Donquixote Esperanza with a score of… 11!
Artemis Shale with a score of… 11!
Kairos Nakamura with a score of… 8!
Robyn Seiwald with a score of… 7!
Lotus Amarin with a score of… 9!
Crash Derosches with a score of… 9!
Isaac Foster with a score of… 5!
Anastasia Willows with a score of… 6!
Jay Zookeeper with a score of… 1!
Leona Zookeeper with a score of… 5!
Birch Paquin with a score of… 0!
Aspen Hayes with a score of… 6!
Calceus Monson with a score of… 4!
Taffeta Katz with a score of… 6!
Brady Deere with a score of… 8!
Mackenzie Pricker with a score of… 7!
Andy Waywell with a score of… 5!
Brielle Hyland with a score of… 8!
Saigon Kane with a score of… 6!
Freya Thatcher with a score of… 12!
Arawn Giedroyc with a score of… 5!
Marjoram Donell with a score of… 4!
Lotus Amarin, 18
District 4 Tribute
Mira switched off the massive television and turned to look at Crash and I.
"What do you think?" she asked.
"We both got a 9," Crash grumbled. "The lowest score besides Taffeta."
"How the hell did that girl from 11 get a 12?" I hissed. "She outscored Don and Artemis!"
"Never underestimate the outliers," Finnick said. He was sitting with his feet propped up on the coffee table and had a glass of lemonade in his hand. I grit my teeth. I considered myself to be a calm person, but Finnick always seemed to get on my nerves.
"I'm not underestimating her," I told him. "I just want to know how she earned such a high score."
"Well, at least we know why Birch scored a 0!" Crash said with a laugh. I glanced at xem out of the corner of my eye.
I could tell Birch's rebellious speech in the training room was still bothering xem. In all honesty, it was affecting me too. The trainers back in 4 never expressed any worries when they encouraged Crash and I to volunteer together. Somehow, the thought of losing xem hadn't even crossed my mind. And now I felt silly.
"What happens if you two are the last tributes left?" Ursa blurted out. I snapped my gaze to my stylist, confident that my shock and fear was visible on my face. I was such an idiot! Why hadn't I considered that!
Crash suddenly stood up from xeir armchair and stormed towards the elevator. Xey angrily punched the 'up' button as Ursa looked around in confusion.
"What did I say?" she asked. Suppressing a groan, I jumped to my feet and followed Crash.
On our first night here Mignon told us about the roof. Half of it was sectioned off for hovercrafts, but the other half was a lovely rooftop garden that overlooked the whole city. Crash and I spent most of the night up there, laughing about our strange stylists and gossiping about the other Careers. If xey needed a spot to blow off steam, xey would be on the roof.
Sure enough, I saw xeir large frame leaning against the glass railing as soon as the elevator doors opened. I walked over to xem and put a hand on xeir shoulder.
"Capitolites, huh?" I huffed. "They have zero boundaries. Did you know one of the guys on my prep team commented on my armpit hair?"
But there was no response. I let my hand fall and joined Crash in leaning against the railing.
"We're certainly in a pickle…" I said. Crash just nodded and I sighed.
"Crash, listen. Everything that I told you in the Training Center was true. We're best friends. We would die for each other. And we're going to figure this out together."
"But what if we are the last ones left?" Crash asked. Xey turned to me and I was surprised to see that xey had tears in xeir eyes.
"Then you kill me."
Crash whipped around completely and grabbed my shoulders.
"Are you crazy?" xey shrieked, giving me a shake.
"No. You have a home. You have parents and a sister that love you. You have people rooting for you. I have nothing."
"Lotus! I can't kill you!"
"Then I'll do it so you can win."
Xey released me to furiously wipe away xeir tears. I poked them in the bicep.
"Let's not think about sad stuff anymore," I said. "Who do you think is going to have the cooler interview outfit?"
"Me," Crash said with a teary laugh. Albert and I have something up our sleeves…"
I laughed too and Crash slung an arm over my shoulder. I leaned into xem and we watched the Capitol bustle below us, thinking about the nails in our coffins.
Calceus "Cal" Monson, 16
District 8 Tribute
I knitted my fingers together as I sat down on the plush couch in the living room of our apartment. Everything was decorated in a deep wine color, which would be nice if it wasn't so close to the color of blood. My heart started beating faster at the mere thought of my lifeblood.
In less than a day, I could be dead. Skewered on the end of a spear or left to bleed out after my throat was cut open. I didn't want to die. And I certainly didn't want to hurt anyone.
I knew I wouldn't live. I wasn't willing to kill another tribute. I would rely on Freya to protect me up until the moment she couldn't. And then I would die. Maybe, if I was lucky, she would stay by my side.
The thoughts of death were becoming overwhelming. Tears sprang to my eyes and I sniffled. It was too much!
And then I heard Zander's cheerful greeting. I wiped the tears away, desperate to hide them before my mentor saw. But if he did, he didn't say anything. He just sat down on the couch across from me and flashed me a grin.
"Hey Cal," he said.
"Hello," I murmured.
"The interviews are tonight, so we're going to practice being onstage!" he said brightly.
"I'm actually a performer back at home," I told him. "I was in a lot of plays and musicals."
"Oh, that's amazing!" Zander gushed. "I wish I could sing but I have a terrible voice. I do like going to shows with my husband though. What was your most recent show?"
"Macbeth," I said. Then I took a deep before revealing the next part. "I played Lady Macbeth."
Zander cocked his head, clearly curious. I forged on.
"I don't completely identify as a guy," I admitted. "Onstage, I like to present as a girl. Sometimes I feel that way at home too. But I don't think it's a good idea to tell anyone; especially my parents. They're very strict."
"And I'm sorry if this is weird," I added frantically when Zander didn't say anything. "I didn't mean to freak you out. I can just be a guy, if you want."
"I want you to be who you are," Zander said. "And I'm really proud of you for sharing this with me. It's a brave thing to do."
My shoulders relaxed as I slumped back into the soft cushions.
"Thank goodness," I whispered. Zander laughed lightly.
"Since you usually identify as a female onstage, would you like to wear a dress for your interview?"
"Could I?" I gasped.
"Of course! I'll let Andromeda know right away."
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and quickly sent a text before looking at me again.
"I don't think we have to worry about stage fright," he laughed.
"No," I agreed. "But I was wondering if I could sing a song? I started writing one on the train."
"Great idea!" Zander exclaimed. "That'll really catch the crowd's attention and make you stand out."
My mentor held his hand out for a high five, which I returned. A smile spread across my face. Yes, I would likely die. But I would die as myself.
Hi! I hope you all had an excellent Christmas! I got to spend a lot of time with my little brothers, which was definitely the highlight for me. Let me know what you enjoyed the most about your holiday!
This chapter has a bit of a strange layout. I was going to have the score reveal be part of Lotus's POV but I think this works better. Hopefully you agree. I'm also putting a poll up on my profile. With the current plan I have in place, I'll have an extra POV slot. So I want you all to vote on who that spot will go to. Keep in mind that it's not going to be long or in-depth since it's for the scene where the tributes are launched into the arena, but I'd like to know who you guys would prefer to see. (Artemis and Arawn are not options since they will already have POVs in that chapter).
Also, Paradigm of Writing suggested a much better name for the 'Foodies' alliance, so I've swapped to that. I just did 'Foodies' because brie is a cheese and marjoram is an herb. Dumb, I know. So thanks for the suggestion Para!
Questions
1) Whose score surprised you the most?
2) Did your tribute get the score you expected them to get?
3) Is there anyone whose score you'd change?
4) Are Lotus and Crash going to be able to stick to their commitment?
5) What are your thoughts on Cal coming out?
Alliances
The Careers: Becky, Aurelius, Artemis, Donquixote, Crash, Lotus, Taffeta
The Allied Cats: Kairos, Leona, Jay
Honoring The Lost: Isaac, Aspen, Birch
Deranged & Confused: Calceus, Freya
The Power Couple (and Saigon): Mac, Brady, Saigon
The Maid & The Mercenary: Brielle, Marjoram
Loners: Robyn, Anastasia, Andy, Arawn
Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!
- Fiona