Barbie Iskakova, 18
District Six.

"Oi! Boss!" Barbie shouted, wiping her hands on the shredded rag that hung from her belt. "This one should be ready to go."

There wasn't any response- not that Barbie was expecting one. It was nearly impossible to hear anything over the din of the shop, but still, she'd prefer to try yelling rather than going and tracking the boss down herself.

With a heavy sigh, Barbie closed the car's hood. It was a beautiful thing, compared to a few of the falling apart wrecks she'd worked on, with sleek red paint- fairly new, she'd wager. It likely belonged to somebody very, very rich.

Making her way around to the front, Barbie took a quick look around- the Boss was still nowhere to be found, probably out for a smoke. Quickly, Barbie slid into the passenger seat, popping the glove box open like she had a hundred times. She'd gotten it down to a science, digging through the compartment for anything potentially valuable.

"Ooh," Barbie hummed to herself as she pulled a wad of cash out from under a stack of napkins. They were all smaller bills, but still, Barbie doubted a rich guy would miss the money.

Quickly closing the box up she ducked out of the car, the money safely stuffed in her pocket. Barbie was just in time too, as her coworkers streamed in through the side door from their smoke break.

"Y'all went for a smoke and didn't invite me?" Barbie called out to the man at the station next to her- Marcus.

"Sure did," Marcus responded, flipping a wrench between his hands. "Probably for the better. That chick is here again, askin' for ya."

Barbie paused for a moment, flipping through her brain- couldn't be Clyde, and it wasn't Prussia. There was only one person it could be.

"Lexie?" Barbie asked, her brow furrowing. "What's she doin' here?"

"Fuck if I know. But you should probably go deal with her before the boss does."

Barbie couldn't disagree- it wasn't often she got work visits. Perhaps she could take advantage of this. It wasn't like Barbie was doing much. She'd already finished her work for the day, and she knew the client wouldn't be back for their car for another few hours at least.

"I'll be back in a minute then," Barbie grinned, tossing her toolbelt on her workstation. Patting her pockets down to ensure she had her smokes on her, she then made her way out the side door. The air outside wasn't any fresher, but Barbie didn't really mind- there was a certain kind of charm to the smog that hung over Six.

"Barbie!" A shrill voice- Lexie- called as she closed the door behind her. "I asked them to send you out since you didn't come out like usual-"

"Whoa," Barbie responded, holding her hands up, as Lexie collided with her, wrapping her arms around Barbie's midsection. "Slow yer roll girlie."

Awkwardly, Barbie patted the girl's back with one hand, pulling a smoke out with the other. She soon loosened the half embrace. "I just wanted to make sure you were still good for tonight."

Barbie froze- tonight? What were they supposed to be doing tonight? Barbie couldn't remember but figured she was supposed to know.

"Ah… what're we doin' tonight?"

"Going out for dinner with my parents! Remember? We talked about this like, last week," Lexie exclaimed shrilly.

"Erm, I'm not gonna be able to make it," Barbie responded, lighting her cigarette.

"Why not?"

Barbie exhaled a cloud of smoke, as Lexie stared up at her with anticipation. "Can't. Workin' late, we got a big job in today."

"Are you sure you can't?"

"Absolutely," Barbie nodded, as solemnly as she could manage- she liked Lexie sure, she was fun, but certainly didn't like her enough to meet her parents. That wasn't exactly Barbie's forte. Besides that, Lexie hadn't mentioned to her since the week prior, how was Barbie supposed to keep track of these things? It wasn't her fault she'd happened to plan another date on the same night.

"Oh," Lexie sighed, withering pathetically. "Could you maybe do next week instead?"

"Dunno, babes," Barbie shrugged, and Lexie's expression fell further. Barbie found this happening with Lexie more often than not lately. The girl expected too much of Barbie and found herself disappointed because of it. Barbie did her piece, but she still had a life- worked, and went out, but with Lexie, all she ever did was try and tie Barbie down.

(It wasn't Barbie Iskakova's fault that she wouldn't let herself lead a boring life. That she wouldn't let herself become stagnant and wither away day by day in a cycle of repetition.

Nobody's life was long, Barbie knew that much.)

"Well do you think-"

"Yanno Lex, I think we should maybe go our own ways," Barbie responded, cutting the girl off. "See other people 'nd all that."

"Wh-" Lexie sputtered, eyes going wide. "What? What do you mean by that?"

"I meant exactly what I said," Barbie shrugged, taking another drag on her cigarette. "It's been fun, but I don't think it's workin'."

Lexie continued sputtering as Barbie snubbed her cig out, stuffing it back into the box for later. Just as she turned to go back inside though, a hand caught her arm.

"Hey- hey no, you can't just leave me out here, Barbie," Lexie cried, her grip remaining firm on Barbie's arm. "You aren't even gonna give me an explanation? That's fucking terrible-"

"Hey! get yer fuckin' hands off me!" Barbie responded, attempting to bat her hand away. "What do you even want from me? I said it like it was, yeah? Don't you get it?"

"No, I don't!"

Barbie once again tried wrenching her arm away- and this time she was successful. "Just leave me the fuck alone man, I'm not interested in you or your insanity anymore."

Quickly, Barbie slipped through the door, slamming it behind her. She hadn't expected any of it to go smoothly. Not with how she hung over every single one of Barbie's moves, always wanting to know where she'd be or what she'd be doing next. She could hardly let Barbie live her life. Iit was a miracle she put up with Lexie's shit for as long as she did.

(Soon enough, this would all be nothing but a distant memory- a distant memory, when Barbie had so much better with somebody else.

Why linger anywhere, when there were so many opportunities out there just waiting to be taken?)

Nothing went particularly wrong with the rest of Barbie's day as she quickly pushed what had happened with Lexie out of her mind. She'd finished up her work fast enough, her client picking up his car a few hours later, and Barbie was happy to be leaving early.

The trip home wasn't particularly long- not with the streetcars, which she'd always preferred to take. Even the walk from her stop was short enough, and the streets were mostly empty, save for a person or two walking just the same as her. She turned off at their house, walking up the back path.

"Oi! Old man, are ya home?" Barbie shouted as she slammed the back door closed behind her. She never knew if her dad was home between working and being out with his friends, but occasionally he surprised her.

"Yeah, what's up?" Vic responded as Barbie stuck her head into the living room. He was splayed out on the couch with the TV on, as usual.

"Are ya goin' out tonight?"

"Nah," Vic shook his head, taking a sip of his beer. "You?"

"Yeah," Barbie nodded. "Dunno if I'll be back tonight though."

"That's fine. Wanna take the bike?"

Barbie grinned at this- it wasn't often Vic offered her the bike, but whenever he did Barbie had no choice but to accept. Vic wasn't the kind of guy who offered much of anything, outside of what he needed to. He'd never been great at parenting. In fact, Barbie had few memories of him ever parenting her. Instead, her childhood had been spent bouncing between her uncles- Vic's gang friends -while her father worked.

"Course I do!" Barbie nodded eagerly. "I'll take good care of her."

"You better," Vic snorted. "Or else you're payin' for her."

Barbie nodded again, crossing the room to take the keys from Vic. As she did, he offered her a fist, which she bumped with her own.

"Be safe, kid."

"I will," Barbie responded with a mock salute. She ran to her room quickly, changing into (mostly) clean clothes, and throwing a few things into her bag. She considered showering but figured there was no point. If everything went right tonight she'd get a shower later, and if not, it was no loss to her.

Barbie followed the same route back through the house, waving to Vic again as she made her way to the garage as quickly as possible. It was less of a garage really, and more a fucked up little shack, but Barbie thought it had charm. She had fond memories of the thing packed with bikes- Vic's and his friends, the house loud and full of laughter.

It was all Barbie Iskakova had ever known, and it's all she ever would.

(She'd lived this life for eighteen years. Why would she ever stop?)

Rolling out of bed, Barbie quickly pulled her shirt over her head. Farah was still asleep, bare back to Barbie, but as much as she wanted to wait around and admire, Barbie couldn't. Not when the night was still young- not when Barbie could find something better. Farah was good, sure, but Barbie knew there was somebody more out there- she could feel it.

(Why stay when there was always somebody better?)

Shoving her wallet into her pocket and sliding her jacket on, Barbie made her way to the window. It was cracked open, and she was sure she could get through it. Pushing it open further, Barbie froze as Farah murmured a low noise in her sleep.

Barbie waited for a moment, and as soon as she was sure the girl wasn't awake, she pushed the window open fully. Tossing her bag through first, Barbie followed with little grace. Quickly scrambling to her feet, throwing her bag over her shoulder, Barbie beelined for the spot she'd parked her bike- a little ways away from Farah's, just in case she needed to leave earlier than expected.

"I knew you weren't working late tonight!" A shrill, and unfortunately familiar voice grated on her ears- fucking Lexie. Barbie spun around on her heel.

"The fuck are you doin' here? You followed me or some shit, ya creep?" Barbie snorted, leaning against her bike. Lexie stepped closer, her face red as a beet.

"That's beside the point- you were lying to me, Barbie! How long have you been pulling this shit huh? How many other girls did you see?"

"None," Barbie grinned, leaning forward on the handlebars of the bike. "Gimme a little respect here, 'Lex."

"Then what the hell are you doing here?"

"Not like we're still together. Now get off my dick and leave me alone. Don't you have better things to be doing than ruinin' my chances of having a good night?"

Something flashed across Lexie's face- something hard and sinister before she spoke again.

"Go to hell, Barbie Iskakova."

"Gladly," Barbie responded with a grin, swinging herself onto the motorcycle and driving away, leaving Lexie in the dust.

By morning, her name and her memory would be gone from Barbie's thoughts entirely.

(Why stay, when it was all replaceable?)

Gucci Givenchy, 18
District One.

Rolling over, Gucci slapped the top of the alarm clock currently blaring in his ears- that'd give him a few minutes of peace, at least. Laying back for a moment, Gucci folded his hands over his chest, letting out a deep sigh.

"Somebody sounds upset," a soft voice said- Lumir, who else? Gucci had nearly forgotten he was there.

"Why wouldn't I be, it's six in the morning," Gucci responded, reaching in the direction of Lumir's voice until his hand met skin. "I forgot to tell you how early I got up, didn't I?"

Lumir laughed, wrapping his hand around Gucci's. "Somehow I'm not surprised."

"Oh yeah? Well, I'll let you in on a secret, there's a good reason why I always wear sunglasses-" Gucci was interrupted by the alarm sounding again. He grabbed the clock, fumbling with his single free hand until it was shut off entirely. "There, now it's all the way off. That means it's time to get up."

"Time for you to get up maybe," Lumir responded. "I'm perfectly content to stay right where I am for now."

"We can get coffee on the way to the Academy."

"Well, I can't argue with that. I'll get up in a few."

Gucci snorted, finally dragging himself out of bed- he was already five minutes late, but there was a reason he left extra time in his schedule. It wasn't like he enjoyed getting up early, but early mornings and late nights and everything between came with the job. A perk, as Adonis liked to call it.

Really, it was- Gucci Givenchy lived and breathed training. Early mornings and late nights only meant spending more time doing what he loved.

How could he ever give that up?

Quickly enough, Gucci had all of his things together- he never really unpacked his training bag, because there was no point in doing so. He pulled his shirt over his head, just as Lumir rolled out of bed.

"Took you long enough!" Gucci exclaimed, hanging his sunglasses on the front of his shirt. "Better get moving if you still want coffee."

Lumir snorted, waving him off as he moved through the room collecting his clothes and other personal items. He'd had Lumir over a few times, but he'd never stayed the night before. Gucci was half shocked he had stayed, all things considered. They both knew what this was- nothing significant, nothing serious.

Gucci Givenchy didn't do serious, after all. How could he, with all that he had to do? Sure he could have some fun here and there, but there was always work to be done. District One had made leaps and bounds in their Careers in the past years- a victor in Elysium Cullinan, and another near win in the form of Chiffon Shivaan.

With Two out of the runnings and Victorless for over a decade, and Four as laid back as ever, it was One's time to take the throne. Everything pointed to it being their time as the reigning Careers.

(Gucci Givenchy had worked so hard to make it so. He wouldn't let anything- or anyone- stand in his path.)

The coffee shop line wasn't particularly long- always a good sign in Gucci's eyes. Lumir stuck close to his side, their shoulders brushing together, but nothing more. They hadn't spoken much since leaving the house, but Gucci didn't mind, since he liked to think on his commute into town. There were a hundred things to do on any given day. There was training for himself and for his peers, and he'd even help out with the classes of younger kids.

(Gucci Givenchy didn't know how much time he'd have in this life. He didn't know how long he'd be here. He only hoped those kids, who'd follow in his footsteps and volunteer, could learn from him- from his triumphs, from his mistakes.

It'd all be worth it, if only Gucci Givenchy made a difference.)

"What do you want?" Lumir asked, gently squeezing Gucci's arm- they were practically at the front of the line now.

"Black coffee, here I'll-"

"No, it's my treat."

"If you insist," Gucci relented, stepping to the side out of line. In what felt like only a blink, Lumir was shoving a coffee in his hand, dragging him out of the way of other patrons.

"We're not sitting, are we?" Lumir asked.

"Are you trying to take me out, Lumie?" Gucci responded with a loud gasp. "On a… date?!"

"No!" Lumir exclaimed as his face flushed red. "I mean-"

"So you don't want to go on a date with me?! I'm offended!"

Lumir sputtered for a moment before grabbing Gucci by the arm and leading him out of the shop. Gucci didn't bother pulling away- he could've if he wanted, but he didn't. In an instant, they were back in the cool morning air.

"What?" Gucci laughed, smoothing the lapels of his jacket down.

"I thought you didn't do dates, Givenchy," Lumir responded, the crease in his brow deepening.

"I don't, but I don't need to tell you that."

Lumir sighed, shaking his head. "But don't you ever want more?"

(Maybe he did. Maybe, in another place, he could afford to want more, but not here, not now. If he wanted to make One better, wanted to improve the District to better than any other, then Gucci had little choice.

Gucci Givenchy couldn't afford to burn his precious little time on such trivial things as love.)

Gucci grinned, leaning down further- bringing them only inches apart. "What makes you ask that? Don't you think if I ever wanted more, I'd take it?"

"I guess but-"

"But?"

"It's fine," Lumir shook his head, turning away. "Let's get moving, since you're so worried about being late."

"Hey, old man!" Adonis exclaimed, waving at him. "Is your hearing finally going?"

"Nah," Gucci responded, leaning on his spear. "Just thinking."

"Bout what? That kid who dumped you?"

"He didn't dump me, we were never dating," Gucci scoffed.

Adonis clicked her tongue, running their eyes over him. "Sure. That doesn't mean you weren't thinking about him, Givenchy."

"Well, this doesn't look like training, Priest."

"If you want to fight, we'll fight!" Adonis said with a grin, hefting her hammer and stepping back onto their mark in the ring. Gucci followed suit, twirling his spear between his hands. In an instant, a hammerhead was whizzing towards him- Gucci leaned back, dodging it with ease, but another strike followed. Raising his spear, the blow glanced off the long shaft, sliding off.

"C'mon, Donnie I thought I was the geriatric patient," Gucci said with a grin. As he did, he struck back, jabbing the blunt end of his spear into his opponent's ribs.

"At this pace, you certainly are."

"Why'd you let me hit you then?" Gucci responded, swinging his spear around again and connecting with her hip. "Ooh and again? I've trained you better than this."

Adonis grunted, but instead of relenting, they pulled their weapon up again. Swinging again, they caught Gucci by the shoulder- thankfully they weren't real weapons, only lighter-weight versions made for sparring. Even then, the strike knocked him back a few steps. Adonis didn't let up, pursuing without hesitation. Blocking blow after blow, Gucci could feel a sheen of sweat forming on his brow- he was keeping up, but for how long?

That was just what he liked about Adonis, what made them so different from every other kid he'd taught. She didn't let up, didn't dare falter or hesitate. Adonis matched him, challenged him, as nobody else did.

Gucci Givenchy could only hope that one day, they'd surpass him. Only hope that she'd become more, a Career the likes of which had never been seen before.

(Gucci Givenchy could only hope what guidance he could give would help in the end.)

Letting himself be pushed back further, continuing to dodge and block Adonis' strikes, Gucci eventually caught a gap in Adonis' defences. Gucci spun his weapon, hooking the blunt end of the spear into the hollow of their knee.

With as hard of a yank as he could manage, Gucci sent Adonis crashing to the ground, their hammer clattering across the training room floor.

"Tsk, tsk," Gucci grinned, looming over his mentee. "And you think I'm losing my edge?"

Adonis groaned loudly, and Gucci extended a hand. Instead of taking the offering, though, Adonis' hand wrapped around his ankle, pulling harshly.

"Gotcha!" Adonis gloated, Gucci hitting the mats with an indignant yelp. He lay on the ground for a moment, catching his breath.

"That was a dirty trick," Gucci eventually groaned.

"Well that doesn't matter in the Arena, does it? Cause- bam, bam! You'd be dead if this was the Games," Adonis responded. Gucci peeled his eyes open to see Adonis fake striking him as she loomed over him. They laughed, offering Gucci a hand which he took.

"That's true, but this isn't the Arena, is it?"

"Nah, not yet," Adonis shook her head, wiping sweat away from her forehead. "But when it is, I won't mind having an old man watchin' my back."

To this, Gucci could only grin. The future he'd dreamed of was so close- practically in their hands, in his hands. All he had to do now was reach out and seize it.

(Gucci Givenchy would give whatever necessary for One's success.)