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Ibaraki's eyes widened slightly at the praise from someone. For a moment, Ibaraki just spent some time looking at slightly trembling hands. Was it cool? Ibaraki's strength had only ever hurt people, another part to be hidden rather than to be shown off. Things in this place really were weird. But even though it was sad that Ibaraki had to fight amongst the others to survive, lots and lots of people were still very nice to the child. Again the child wondered if things ever were as they seemed, but pushed the thought to back in favor of nodding to Akane. "Thank you, ma'am. That's very nice of you to say so." Ibaraki murmured, before shuffling away. Ibaraki didn't have very much energy to interact with anyone today, still tired from the previous day's transformation. Finding a nice corner away from anyone else, Ibaraki snuggled against the hard walls and golden eyes fluttered close. Not quite sleeping, yet quiet enough for others to ignore the child. Behind closed eyes, Ibaraki could hear some tributes whispering over the new information, some more wary to attack Ibaraki now with the show of strength yet some were much more determined to rid the child at the first chance.

---

"His name may be a mouthful but we eagerly await his performance! Chrysomallys Athamas!" Came the next call, drawing the aforementioned tribute's attention. With a cordial smile, Molly stepped on stage. There was undoubtedly some swooning among the audience but Molly laughed it off good naturedly, waving towards the audience before taking a seat.

"Before we begin, I must admit. Your name is quite an unusual one. Any nicknames we call call you by?" Came the easy question. It was oddly different from the other questions posed but Molly let it pass without much question. It was nearing the end of the night anyways so he simply answered it honestly.

"My Mom named me that, apparently it can be found in one of her favorite legends." Molly recounted, remembering the stories his Mom would tell him, hushed voices in the middle of the night. "But simply calling me Molly or Chrys is acceptable."

"Molly then. You sound quite close with your mother. Do you miss your family?" Was the second question and Molly blinked. There certainly were very personal questions. This year had been mostly filled with more questions related to power and killing so why change with him? A little odd but Molly still answered honestly. There wasn't any harm in it, not quite yet.

"I do. But such feelings will not help me in the arena." He replied. It was not a particularly happy reply but it was a frank one at that. But the crowd didn't seem to care, eating it up eagerly. "But I do hope that they're cheering me on."

"A pure and simple wish. Well here's the final question. What will you do if you win?"

This question was a bit unexpected and Molly took some time to think about it. "If I win, the I have failed." Came the final answer. "My motive is to heal as many tributes as I can. Many of the deaths within the arena are preventable if given proper medical attention. I want to save those who I can and if I am the last person standing then what meaning was there in saving them?" With that final reply, the buzzer went off and Molly returned backstage.

---

It had taken a few minutes to free Cesar from the mostly invisible prison created by Natalie. Cesar was surprisingly calm about being humiliated and attacked like this. But that was only a front. He had a tight smile on his lips and was now, thanks to Natalie, limping around anxiously. The night was not going as planned.

Still, Cesar has a job to do. So he forces himself to finish the last few interviews. Molly's interview had calmed him down some, giving him the last bit of energy he needed to call the final tribute up onstage. "The next guest is a special one folks! We have decided to bring back an old victor! Please welcome Moona onto the stage!"
...
Out of all the interviews she listened to, Tayla had found Molly's to be the most intriguing to her. It was uncommon to meet someone who would walk into a game of death with pure intentions. One couldn't help but be suspicious that it was all a lie.

But there was something about Molly that lead Tayla to believe that he was telling the truth. She turns away from him to face the stage. Even though he wasn't nearby to hear it Tayla can't help but whisper good fortune to him under her breath. He would probably need it, she wouldn't be surprised if he were one of the first people targeted. It was unfortunate that that's how people were. Given the opportunity, some wouldn't hesitate to crush the pure hearted.

As her name was called, the young angel girl walked onto the stage for a second time. The feeling of Deja vu was very strong as it swirled around her. Yet she walked right to Ceasar as if it was the first time being called up, her wings were big enough to wrap themselves around her if she needed. But for now, they were slightly spread as if she was getting ready to fly away at any moment.

---

"So tell me Moona-" Cesar says while leaning towards her with obvious interest. It wasn't often a victor returned to the Hunger Games literally from the grave. "-How do you feel about being back to the Games? This whole situation must be strange to you right?" Cesar asks.

Moona nodded, her wings had mostly folded up as she tried to get comfortable, she wasn't quite used to sitting in chairs with her wings this big. "It is. We're told that if we win we don't have to go back, but now I'm going back." She doesn't sound angry, she sounded more hurt and confused among all things. Though, it was noted that her words cause some people in the crowd to get a bit angry because her words were true. "So were we all lied to or. . . ?"

---

Cesar clears her throat and leans back in his chair. "Sometimes rules change for the better. It's nice to bring in a returning face, it makes things interesting" Cesar responds quickly. From the tone of his voice, one would think he were prepared to answer like this ahead of time. "What type of arena are you hoping to get?" Cesar asks.

"Something with plant life, it would be a nice change from last year's. Anything would probably be better than last year's arena now that I think about it. . ." Moona looked at her hands, and just for a moment she swore she saw blood on her hands, but when she blinked it was gone. It was just an illusion. You're okay. You're not in there anymore.

---

"That's understandable" Cesar responds. He gives the girl a pitied look, obviously understanding what she meant by that. "Final question, what do you plan on doing with your life if you win the Games?" Cesar asks.

Moona looks up at Ceasar and he can see tears threatening to spill, her voice is barely above a whisper, like a light breeze through the trees. "To go home and be with my mother." It is clear the child isn't just heartbroken, but very, very homesick. And she had every right to be. She'd been promised to return home and never compete again, but now even that had been yanked away from her already fragile heart.

---

There are multiple heartbroken awws that can be heard from within the crowd, even Cesar looks distraught for the girl. "I wish you the best of luck out in the Games" Cesar tells Moona. Next to them, a bell goes off, signalling the end of the interviews. Cesar doesn't say anything for a moment, giving the audience time to clap and cheer Moona offstage. "That's all for tonight folks! I hope you enjoyed the interviews!" He shouts out. The crowd cheers for Cesar as he walks offstage, opposite side of the tributes of course for his own safety. Which puts the interviews to a close.

As the night came to a close the tributes were ushered back to their rooms.

*Time skip to dawn*

Each tribute was roused by his or her mentor and given part of what they'd be wearing in the arena to change into: Tawny shorts, a light gray/cream* tank top, a sturdy brown belt, leather boots with steel toe and a narrow flexible rubber sole with treads which would be good for running over skin-tight socks. Once dressed, they were sent to hovercraft, and once seated they had something injected into their arm. Their tracker someone said.

They were then transported to the arena's underground paths that would lead each tribute to their individual chamber, or the Launch Room. They would be the only ones to use this room. Once there, they were met by his or her stylist and were each given a thin hooded jacket that fell to their thighs.

Now they just had to wait for the call. The call to be put in the worst few moments of their life.

(* = Boys get light gray and the girls get cream)

---

The morning came with a grudge for the three abominations, aside from Cree. Cree held a grudge against the morning, knowing it would be difficult to find Ibaraki. Tyler, of course, was not a morning person. Ace was only annoyed at the tracker, since he could literally feel the small object inside of his arm. The three put up no fuss, though Tyler did try to lash out when the tracker was implanted. As the three settled in and awaited their input into the arena, each did their own thing to pass the time: Tyler slept more, Ace seemingly did some kind of meditation, and Cree.. Well, Cree stood stock still, creaking and groaning like a large tree in a windstorm.

Natalia started at her outfit, before grudgingly putting it on. She was finally alone. Alone. Kinda. That was a nice word, it was good. She only wished that Faith was around. After all, Faith was her only friend. She was going to make it out alive, all of them. She knew everyone hated the Capitol as much as she did, maybe more.


Faith frowned. Not much fashion sense here. She wilingly let the person inject a tracker in her, before stunning him, leaving him to crumple to the ground. Faith practiced her magic, while Natalia created a force field around herself grumpily and listened to her music

---

Jeremy was fidgeting in front of a full-length mirror. His nerves clenched in his stomach. Food must stay down. Meanwhile Akane sat and bounced her leg in unease, her stylist took her hands in his own which helped the nerves some. Finally, a woman's voice stated that it was time for launch.

Moona stepped into her tube and the glass shut behind her, sealing her from her stylist, who nodded at her as if to encourage her. Then it started to rise, for about fifteen seconds Moona was in the dark before she was pushed up and into the arena. She struggled to see for a moment, blinking rapidly, but then she could see.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Claudius Templesmith's voice booms around the tributes through hidden speakers. "Let the Five Hundred Fiftyth Hunger Games begin!"

60 seconds to get a look at the tributes, standing an equal distance from the golden horn, the Cornucopia, that was filled with supplies that would keep them alive. Stepping a second before the time was up would mean death, as the landmines around the metal plates would go off.

(Arena will be put in next post)

---

Ibaraki, despite the brave words said yesterday, was terrified. The child had spent the time crying as the cream tank top was soaked even before the games could start. The thought of dying was rightly terrifying, a possibility that would become reality in a few moments. Life was just beginning to look up too! Ibaraki had a wonderful friend in Cree and people were praising the monstrous strength that had brought Ibaraki nothing but grief for so long. And now everything would be taken away. Scrubbing small hands over the exposed flesh in an effort to clumsily wipe away the tears, Ibaraki looked up when the sounds of footsteps rang through the waiting room. "It's time." Ibaraki's stylist murmured, pity shining in those eyes that had given the child nothing but kindness the past week or so. In the other's hand was a bell that rang soundlessly along with the mandated jacket. "Before you go, take this. Just as a little something from me." It wasn't an unkind smile that was given as the stylist knelt down to tie the bell around Ibaraki's ankle. "Good luck out there, kid. Do you best and I'll be cheering for you every step of the way."

Ibaraki's eyes widened slightly, before rushing forward to quickly embrace the stylist. "T-thank you. For everything." Came the mumbled thanks as the child was picked up and carried over to the elevator that would bring all of them up to their death. The sudden jerk of the machine had Ibaraki's heart rate spiking as the child was brought up to the arena. The sudden light was blinding but perhaps it was the fact that Ibaraki wasn't quite human that made adjusting much easier. The sight of the arena didn't even register as Ibaraki immediately looked for Cree, head whipping around in poorly disguised terror to try and find the only tribute Ibaraki could trust.

---

Pacing around the room, Molly furiously muttered under his breath. Different ways to use plants, how to administer medicine, all sorts of medical knowledge flowed out of the rapidly moving mouth as if Molly was preparing to go into an exam, not a death game. Other than that, Molly was the picture of serene calm, ready to burst into the arena at the first moment. He already had a plan that would almost definitely ensure his survival through the initial bloodbath but his continued survival would depend on his next actions. The announcement for launch didn't even phase him as he stepped into the tube. Everything would be okay.

---

Tyler was nudged awake, the grumbling Tribute sitting down on the machine that would take him up to the surface, his yawn displaying a few teeth that seemed off, sharper than the others. As he slowly woke up, he felt the device start to lift him into the air, towards the arena.

---

Cree cowered on the platform, his eyes still shaded by the undisturbed Tragedy mask. As he was lifted into the air, Cree found himself oddly comforted, knowing that the arena would be fit to him, no matter what.

---

Ace began to anxiously walk in circles around his platform, anticipating the arena around him and hoping he might find a way to survive in it.

(The Arena, hope none of your characters get seasick)

49. 48. 47. 46. 45.

Charlie blinked and looked around. The first thing she had processed was the smell of salt, then she could hear waves crashing upon their plates. Just to make sure, when the next wave splashed against the back of her plate she managed to catch a little of the water in her hand, she gingerly dipped her finger into it and tasted it. Saltwater. It was the ocean. In front of her was the golden horn, leading to it were wooden boards formed into a dock. Actually around her was a dock, but beyond that was the ocean as far as the eye could see. Ibaraki was on her left and Moona on her right.

44. 43. 42.

Once she had regerstered the arena, she turned her gaze to the golden horn. The Cornucopia with tons of things spilling from it: weapons, fire starters, medicine, and more that Akane couldn't name. Much to her relief, Jeremy was to her right.

41. 40.

The first thing Moona had registered after getting her bearings of what she had to deal with was the slightest rocking underneath her plate. The whole dock was being rocked gently by the calm ocean waves, like a buoy. Just behind the horn were medium-sized boats with sails, but she couldn't see much after. Well, at least this was an improvement compared to last year's arena. . .

---

39, 38, 37, 36...

As Tyler looked around at the water, he let out a slow breath. This was an interesting scenario, of course. He knew the astral virus could survive for quite a long time in chemically treated water. Surely this would be similar. In his mind, a single order was issued to an unresponsive soldier. Settle somewhere for a hideaway, and beckon me to it. I will find you. Slowly, quietly, weightlessly, a few instances of the virus floated into the water on the air currents, drifting with the tide.

---

35, 34, 33, 32, 31...

Cree's sense of smell was assaulted by the salt in the air, though his body soon started to crackle and pop, reforming and reshaping the creature. The moisture in the air was horrid, though it did give Cree several slits along the sides of his neck, thin webbing soon snaking between his long fingers. His shoulders popped into yet another odd position, better for pulling something along in water.

---

30, 29, 28, 27, 26.....

Ace gazed out in all directions, silently muttering, "Too much water." He'd expected a land-based turf to battle on, though this would likely work... The Mimic was lighter than normal humans, so he would theoretically float. And with this much water, it gave the Beholder a much wider range of shock if he became enraged.

25, 24, 23, 22, 21...

The sea. The arena was a giant ocean with sea salt stinging Ibaraki's eyes. At least no one would be able to tell that the child had been crying, the waves crashing around them a watery concealer. Breathing became difficult as the saline environment nestled salt within powerful lungs, constricting airways and barring passage to much needed oxygen. A hacking cough tried to dislodge the slow buildup of salt as Ibaraki doubled over trying to breath properly. The countdown could barely be heard as Ibaraki tried to wrestle everything under control. The sea was something new to the child and to have such an unfortunate match up right from the start was simply bad luck.

20, 19, 18, 17, 16...

The sea. Looking around, Molly examined his surroundings. This put a bit of a dent in his plans but no matter. He would still stick with his original intent. Molly knew how to swim so the best plan of attack would be to grab something small and swim out into the water and rest there until everyone had dispersed. As soon as he could, he would then swim back to treat as many of those injured in the bloodbath as possible before traveling to each of the islands visible as a wandering doctor. This was his best bet at saving as many people as possible while still keeping alive for longer.

---

“25,24,23,22,21”

Natalia stared at the vast ocean, than at the golden horn like object. She saw weapons supplies and all she would need, and turned to stare at Faith. She looked down at the gillyweed Faith gave her, and smiled.

“20,19,18,17,16”

Swimming was going to be easy, with the gillyweed. She would definitely help Moona and Charlie if possible. She smiled at the dome that trapped her, and breathed in the ocean. She had to become one with the sea

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