And now for our next Career pair, District Four!

Kaz Quincy, 18

"Don't you think you deserve a break?" Diana's laugh teemed off the clashing of steel. "You've been at it since six."

Kaz knew her friend's suggestion came at the worry of her own welfare, not because the other girl was bored or tired of helping her train. Still, she quirked an eyebrow all the same. "I can't believe you're telling the designated volunteer to take a break. Do you want me dead?"

The other girl rolled her eyes, keeping up the sparring despite no doubt her muscles burning. Unlike Kaz, Diana hadn't ever trained as hard for the volunteer spot. She, instead, was more musically inclined. Still, that hadn't stopped her from agreeing to help the volunteer get some last minute practice in. "You're more dramatic than Flavius and Bacchus combined, oh my god."

Having seen the play Diana provided the music for, the comparison brought an amused smile to Kaz's lips. She had watched the two male leads become so egregiously offended at little things, all for them to turn around and label it a prank. She doubted severely that she even held a flame close to how over the top they were.

"Maybe drama's a good thing," Kaz replied, her smile firmly put on her face. Among her friends, things like that just came easy. "Perhaps Thyone'll flock to me and make me Panem's golden girl."

Diana took the opportunity to try and disarm Kaz with an undercut as the other girl was distracted with her laugh. Kaz knew she might've fallen for it usually but, on a day such as the reaping day, her senses were heightened. In a fluid motion - one she had been practicing for far too long - Kaz parried Diana's sword to the side, knocking it down with her wrist and using her free hand to pull a knife from a hidden sheath to press against Diana's neck.

A silence settled between the two girls, heavy breaths echoing off the room's walls. No sooner had her attempt be foiled did Diana grin brightly, features lending themselves to a laugh and a shake of the head. "A concealed knife? Of course you'd have that! Can't give them up, huh?"

Kaz shook her head, her laughter intertwining with Diana's as she lowered her weapons. "I really can't. Besides, it's not like you can hide a sword in a concealed sheath!"

Diana opened her mouth, no doubt to give a rebuttal using some play as an example that used sheathed swords, but was stopped by the Academy's bell.

"Save that thought Di - looks like we're being told to clear out."

Unlike the other Career districts, District Four often let it's volunteers train on the day of the reaping. Though the practice had begun as a result of the relaxed nature the district had adopted, the benefits were noted quickly in the Capitol. As One's Careers looked ostentatious and Two's nothing more than living, stoic mountains, District Four's Careers looked as if they had been hard at work. Or, so the Academy told them. Many a trainee had doubted the story but trusted their mentor's guidance. After all, it would be them that would help them survive in the arena.

"Well, I'll see you at the reaping, Miss Volunteer." Diana smirked at Kaz, handing her the sword she had been using. "Make sure Panem remembers you."

"Compared to Nyles, that won't be hard," Kaz quipped back confidently, mind casting to her designated volunteer partner. He was an oaf, truly, and she knew he was someone to eliminate sooner than later. "I'll give the Captiol something nice from Four to look at."

Nemesis Halloran, 18

Nemesis always knew when it was reaping day, even when he willed himself to get lost in nature's beautiful, enticing simplicity. It was as if the entirety of Panem knew, nature included. The waves that lapped against the cliff face near his cave's entrance were angry, vengeful almost. Had it not been for other signs like the seagulls migrating inland in hopes of stealing someone's food during the celebrations after the reaping or the sea being void of fishing ships, Nemesis may have believed the sea was angry at him.

He was, after all, one of the lives the sea tried and failed to claim.

Nemesis hadn't attended the reaping for two years, not since he abandoned the Academy as soon as he turned sixteen. He knew if he was in another district there would've been search parties and incessant Peacekeepers trying to force him to go but, in Four, people were more relaxed. It was hard not to be; the sea often calmed people indiscriminately. What faulted the Academy was how boring it was; Nemesis could make the gullible guys who worshipped his every move do whatever silly little trial he thought of, yet none of held his interest for long. Nothing held his interest, unless it was laced with the complexities of nature or held the enticement of mystery. Even the waves that tried to claim him once more with their foamed hands were beautiful and intriguing - far more than any of the stories of fading Victors or the all too readable Career trainees.

He glanced out to the sea, watching as the few small dinghies were fishing for the celebratory meal that night. As customary in all of the Career Districts, the district celebrated the night of the reaping with a large feast and celebration, all in hopes of extending good fortune to their tributes. Nemesis always remembered it as being a jovial time, if not a little loud and overwhelming. It was too hard to blend into the shadows and observe, especially when one of the Academy trainees. He watched the boats for the bit, an idea he had been toying with for months returning to his mind all too eagerly. He smiled to himself after chewing his lip, deciding definitively it was worth pursuing.

Opportunities were meant to be taken and he'd take this one by the reigns.

Navigating through the few neighbourhoods that separated his beach from where his adoptive father lived was easier than normal. Usually, whenever he ventured back to the closest building he could call home, Nemesis had to maneuverer around the Peacekeepers undertaking their nightly patrols. He had no fear of being caught as a teen; Academy kids often snuck out for extra training and the Peackeepers had come to see them as a somewhat fond niche of District Four. No, Nemesis feared his identity would be exposed to them and everyone would take his grand reveal from him, whenever that would be. As they were on every reaping morning, the people of District Four flocked to the Justice Building and it's adjoining beach, enjoying the morning festivities. Nemesis briefly remembered the times he attended the reapings with the other Academy boys; jumping into the sea and smiling wryly at the Capitol's cameras they panned over.

That was always the way; District One were the poised, District Two the strong, District Seven the grounded and District Four their carefree opposite. Every Career District had a role to play in the alliance and the beaming smiles of Academy trainees wetted with sea water, salt in their hair, was the trademark Four offered. Sometimes Nemesis missed it, if only as a means to watch and learn about his fellow trainees. He mostly enjoyed the sea, letting himself get lost in the ocean's clockwork.

He had only seen one Peacekeeper on his way to the house, the white beacon of the Capitol simply reminding him that the reaping was to begin in under an hour. Nemesis had smiled and nodded, not indulging in conversation. The Peacekeeper had shrugged and sauntered away, probably dreading having to pull some of the rambunctious seventeen-year-olds from the sea when they refused to.

The home of Malik Halloran, his 'father,' was modest and humble. A small, cosy building, it reflected the man who inhabited it. Nemesis would be lying if he said he felt nothing towards it's presence - Keepers, why would he ever have gone back over the past two years if not? - but it still never felt as right as his cave. Malik had let him be free, never chaining him down, but Nemesis knew he was better than a bird in a cage - a fish in a bowl - and had to leave. Maybe it was some of the guilt for the man that Nemesis made sure his water-trodden footprints were left whenever he visited.

Malik wasn't home when Nemesis had got there. Knowing the man well enough, Nemesis could guess he was at the reaping, putting the final touches on the small shell crowns the volunteers were given in the Justice Building. He liked things like that - thanking those in meaningful ways. It was with that humbleness in mind, the kindness that Malik was so often characterised by, that Nemesis knew the man would want him to wear some of his nicer pants. He had few - collecting sea shells wasn't exactly the most prosperous of District Four's careers - but he had some.

Nemesis knew that his father would want him to look somewhat nice for his plan. Or maybe he didn't, and he'd find the entire thing ominous and sinister; the child who ran away coming back to steal some clothes to then enact a spur of the moment plan. Who knew? Nemesis would find out.

Nemesis hadn't cared entirely about his appearance; he still wore the shirt that bore the stains of the sea against his body. If someone looked hard enough, they might've found sand nestled in the eyelets of it. The sleekness of his father's pants tried, and failed, to elevate him to something presentable. He paid little mind to it, shrugging at his reflection as he simply ran a hand through his hair to deem the ensemble complete before sneaking back out towards the Justice Building.

Kaz Quincy, 18

Once upon a time, the reapings of District Four were nowhere near as organised as those of Districts One and Two. Relegated as the 'relaxed Careers', District Four's Academy scarcely chose the volunteers and instead allowed the escorts to choose at their own discretion. Some years that had been advantageous but, mostly, it had led to the creation of the cursed reputation the district was unable to shake. Such measures were changed followed the 76th Hunger Games, Four aligning it's process much more closely to that of Districts One and Two. Now, only the very best were sent to the Capitol and, as the designated female volunteer, Kaz often got told she was exemplary.

She, after all, had survived two mock Games and the whole selection process. In fact, she had dominated them.

Iantienne was an older escort. Starting during the ill-fated 74th Hunger Games, he had been a regular fixture in Four's reaping process for the past forty years. Unlike many in the Capitol, age had been kind to the man; he grew into features that hadn't been the most flattering and oftentimes tributes from Four received a little extra love for being associated with him.

Keepers knew they needed it; ever since Seven had joined the Career pack, District Four had been relegated to the weakest link. Kaz, like many in Four, was eager to prove them all wrong.

Kaz smiled easily as the annual reaping procedures went on. Though she was from Four where the reaping wouldn't be complete without all the traditions, that wasn't to say they weren't any less boring. Mostly, the history of Panem and the Second Rebellion were the most time consuming; the spotlight being shone on Four's Victors were often filled with pride and cheers. This year, as expected, was no exception. Then came mention of Four's progress in last year's Games.

"Of course, as you all know, District Four was unable to secure a Victor last year." Kaz rolled her eyes at Iantienne's words; though he had his benefits in the Capitol, he still was just the same as the rest of them with little tact. "Pontoon was able to place third, succumbing to the injuries given to him during his fight with Agatha, from District Two. Our lovely lady, Thalassa, came eleventh. Not the best showing, but I am certain we can do better this year!"

For a moment, Kaz's mind wandered back to how it was last year. Ever since Thalassa had won the selection tournament, she had become the Academy's golden girl. She, like Pontoon, became exemplary. Everyone - Kaz included - had no doubt that one of them would come home. They both did, technically, just in small wooden boxes and not adorned with wreaths and laurels as intended. Their bodies dressed in plain, white linen and not vibrance and satin.

Kaz wondered if she would be like them. She too, after all, had been paraded around as the only thing worthwhile at the Academy. She, like Thalassa, had been worshipped by the trainers just as easily as they scorned her for mistakes. Would she be like Thalassa? Dissolved into the sea, at home with the ocean?

No. I'm more than good enough to win.

She watched Iantienne walk to the bowl of female names with an uncompromising stare, almost as if at any moment someone could snatch the moment away from her. That offence hadn't happened in years - not since the 87th Games had someone usurped the Academy's chosen volunteers. As he did every year, he quickly picked the name and returned to the middle of the stage. Kaz vaguely remembered him mentioning in one interview that there was little point. He hadn't told the reason why - the Academies were, technically, still illegal - but the intelligent could put two and two together.

"Mermaidia Hellespont!"

Kaz could roll her eyes. She had seen Mermaidia and the other sixteen-year-olds doing what they did best at the Academy; letting arrogance and overconfidence overwhelm everyone else around them. Of course, they all were like that to some degree, but something about being sixteen amped it to unbearable levels.

The only relief was knowing it'd be ten times harder for Mermaidia to ever get the volunteer spot. For some reason, those who were truly reaped in the Career districts had the opportunity taken away from them. Had it not been for the look of pure frustration on the girl's face, Kaz might've considered the whole premise archaic.

Once upon a time, as in before the Mockingjay, the Career Districts seemed to follow the same protocol as all other districts for volunteering; let the reaped get to the stage and wait for the escort to signal the shouts to begin. Time, excitement and the Capitol's thirst for entertainment, however, had weathered it down to simply the name being called.

Kaz didn't need to shout her intention to volunteer for long; all Career escorts were provided with a small packet of who to look out for. All they needed to do was point in the general direction of the designated volunteer and the Peacekeepers would do the rest. No sooner had she raised her hand had Peacekeepers begin to encircle her, bringing her from the eighteen-year-olds section and into the middle aisle.

She smiled proudly, tilting her head upwards as she ascended the stairs. As he was every year, Iantienne seemed content with the selection of volunteer. Perhaps foolishly, Kaz had expected him to react more outwardly; she was, after all, much better than Thalassa and even Sahndee of the 113th. The escort led her to his side, presenting her to the district. She, just as she had been taught to do and how she had seen so many years before, smiled brightly. Be prideful for her district, yes, but dazzle the Capitol sponsors early.

"And your name is?"

"Kaz Quincy!"

The round of applause, the unabashed cheers that permeated through the splashes of the nearby waves, made Kaz more confident of her victory than she ever could be.

Nemesis Halloran, 18

Nemesis watched as Kaz smiled at the district. He couldn't quite remember her - not that anyone from the Academy stood out - but she looked like how he recalled the female volunteers looked. Strong, capable and utterly delusional. Even he, with his desire to volunteer and reclaim some glory that people just gave to him unabashedly, could see that equating volunteering to victory was sheer stupidity.

Maybe that was something the other districts made fun of.

In fact, the way she grinned almost dumbly at those who would so easily turn on her if she died too soon, their loyalty only attached with the condition of victory, only made Nemesis more confident in his own reasons for volunteering. Ending a saga in the most grandeur way possible was always the goal of any author - even more so if the saga was about the mystery of District Four.

...

"I volunteer as tribute!" His voice - his shout - surprised even him. There was a gravelly quality to it, indicative of how little it had been used in the past few months.

The shouts from the male reapees stopped near instantly, recognising the voice so many had thought was just a figment of their imagination. Nemesis allowed himself to smile mirthfully, taking it as an invitation to walk down the middle aisle. One of his old devotees, Nyles, had seemingly scored the volunteer spot but even he stopped to stare him in the eyes.

As he walked passed, Nemesis heard both sides of the aisle whisper accolades they attached to him. There were some truths like his skill with a harpoon gun, but others were fabricated myths like what happened to him after he had left. Drowning, being a monster of the sea - figment of their imaginations. All of them amused Nemesis to no end and, had it not been for him wanting the volunteer spot, he may have indulged in them. Instead, he simply nodded at Nyles as he stepped past the boy onto the stage.

Nemesis could see the tell-tale signs of Kaz studying his face and then recognising exactly who he was, to which he offered her a grin that told no secrets. That was all he could do; Iantienne held his arm up excitedly to proclaim him the male tribute for District Four.

"Well, well, well! You've certainly made quite the entrance. Your name?" The immeasurable amount of joy in the escort's voice was sickening, tone far too sweet for anyone to handle. Nothing about Iantienne's voice showed any remorse for Nyles who, unfortunately, would be condemned to a life of shame. That was something District Four had picked up - out casting those who failed to fulfil their volunteering duties. Nemesis had often pondered why the Career districts seemed to care so much; not volunteering and being alive seemed like a better trade than dying a fool.

Still, he supposed, in the eyes of many he was now the fool who could die. Then again, those who couldn't see this as the grand finale in his saga were blind to some of the finer truths of life.

"Nemesis Halloran!" Nemesis yelled his voice, knowing it was expected of him. Playing along with the little game the Capitol enjoyed was unlike him - the quizzical looks shared between his old 'followers' all but confirmed that - but he was smart. If he had to pretend to be one of the preppy kids at the Academy who usually became the volunteers to get an advantage, then Nemesis would be the preppiest.

After all, how else would he cast his intrigue over the nation without some preparation?

How else would his legacy reach the masses?

Here's our next duo, Kaz and Nemesis!

Kaz has a shorter initial PoV because as I was writing it, I felt it worked better in other parts of the pre-Games, so I've logged it all and we will see more of her in a bit!

For now, we have a dedicated volunteer and an enigma! I'm sure the Capitol wasn't expecting District Four to deliver on that.

Next up is District Six!

~ Oli