Forum Thread

Craig Oakfrost (ENROUTE TO CAPITOL)

"Hmm." The female winner considered her for a moment. "I think you can use your appearance to your advantage. Play along the 'dark horse' line. Say you'll seem small and innocent, but creep up on your opponents later- that's your best bet-"

"Your advice is too good, Dawny." Ash pouted. "How am I going to be of any use to the kiddins if you cover all our bases?"

Dawny. Oh. Riggs' eyes widened. Now he recognized her.

Regaled as one of the deadliest players of all time- Dawna Smith was unmatched in her ruthlessness. She'd cut down tributes in the number she'd chosen- starting from the careers, whom she'd silently taken out, one after the other, eventually driving them all to kill each other. From then on, with all their supplies, she'd picked off the starving tributes, until only she and the District 12 female remained.

Rumours said they still couldn't get all the blood out of the spot that girl had stood in.

He was a little impressed- but he didn't want that sort of stealth to be his legacy. He wanted to be the person constantly at the head of the thrust- cutting down each person, not driving them to kill one another.

He wanted moments, not a bunch of random nobodies hitting each other with sharp sticks.

A hand was on his arm, suddenly. Ash was grinning down at him, greasy blonde hair flopping over his eyes. "Come on! Next car time! I'll show you how to disembowl someone with two slashes of a knife! And get us quiches~!"

Riggs wasn't particularly interested in him. He'd been a run-of-the-mill winner who's charming attitude and ability to form alliances had lead to his victory. He'd had one kill in the entire game- the female of his District who'd protected him. It wasn't even a particularly good one. She'd practically begged him to.

But the tiny little voice inside Riggs' who'd been screaming and kicking ever since he'd seen Primrose's pallid, terrified face-

He bit his lip so hard he drew blood. "Sounds great!" he chirped. "Let's go!"

---

District 9 Train (ENROUTE TO CAPITOL)

The woman nodded, but didn't take her eyes off him. Only when an Avox slipped into the room, placing a tea tray on the table, did she finally look away. She picked up a teacup, pouring the pot in.

The warm smell of ginger and honey filled the air.

She placed the pot back down, and then offered it to Raiyhan.

---

Minya Reedshaw.
I've run out of quotes.

The tiny girl watched them go.

She turned to Dawny.

"I don't think I'll be able to fight well against any of the Tributes.

I'm too small, and weak."

She confessed sadly.

"I don't have a fighting chance."

---

Raiyhan Vale.

Raiyhan took the cup.

"Thank you ma'am."

He said quietly, sitting down on his own, his eyes wandering all over the carriage.

A sense of dread sat in his stomach, making him feel queasy.

The silence wasn't helping him either.

District 7 Car (WITH DAWNA AND MINYA)

Dawna nodded, thoughtfully. Her fingers made a drumming pattern on her knee. "I can't say I relate too much to that statement- I always had an excess of physical strength. And I'd worked with axes most my life, so weapons were never a big deal."

A frown settled on her lips. She actually looked a little disconcerted. "Never a big deal..." There was almost a droopiness to her eyes... then she shook her head, and turned back to Minya. "I can't say that you'll get the strength or skill with any sort of weapons in the few days you have. Certainly not enough to compete with the Careers. But just by admitting your weaknesses, you're already light-years ahead. You can form a plan taking your flaws into consideration."

For once, a genuine smile graced her lips.

"You've already done that. Even before you've begun the games, you've pieced together what you need to survive. That's the mark of a winner, Minya Reedshaw." A long pause. "I watched you on that stage. And from the moment I saw your tears, I understood something- you're one of the people who I believe has the empathy to win."

The empathy to win.

---

District 7 Car (WITH ASH AND RIGGS)

The two stared at each other.

Ash attempted a wobbly smile.

Riggs looked unimpressed.

Ash coughed.

Riggs glared.

Ash cleared his throat.

Riggs' glare possessed the strength of a thousand raging suns, all coming together for the sole purpose of roasting Ash Craigtree alive.

Ash blanched and quickly started talking. "So! Hi! I'm Ash Craigtree! Winner of the 68th Hunger Games! Nice to- uh- I mean- nice to meet you- Briggs..?"

Riggs smiled brightly all of a sudden. "I'm Riggs Oakfrost! We have similar names, don't we? So weird how such different winners can come together and not want to kill each other?"

"Uh- winners?" Ash blinked. He caught Riggs' glare turning to him again. "Ah, yes! Right! We're winners! Ahaha- So um, you mentioned wanting to play the crowd?"

"Yes," Riggs cut in. "I want your advice. Now. Prove to me that you're worthwhile."

Ash sweatdropped. He felt like he was a child again-, desperately begging a girl two years older than him to give him the time of day. Ignoring the way she turned away and the anger and the terror and the- His chest tightened and he smiled at Riggs. "Right! Advice- that's what you want." He tapped his chin thoughtfully, banishing the demons crawling up through his throat back into his lungs again. "Well, uhm... you gotta make a story, see? Establish yourself as a person."

not that I ever did that-

"And you gotta do it with other tributes, too! Then they'll wanna side with you..."

"I don't need friends. I need allies."

"Yeah. Getting onto that- in a second!"

Oh Harvest, why were children these days so intimidating?

---

District 9 Car

The woman proceeded to pour out a cup for Majoree. When she offered it, Majoree wrinkled her nose and turned away. The elder nodded, instead placing it in her own lap.

A long pause started.

The woman's finger ran along the rim of the cup. And then she spoke. "You are this year's tributes." Her voice was long-since broken with age. Silvery edges hinted at what may have been a musical lilt- something soft and sweet, but had only been roughened with years. "Do you have a strategy for survival?"

---

Mike looked at Hwa, "Well Hwa, why are you here anyway, I mean, aren't you a little too young?" Mike said, he was confused about why would they bring a young girl here. Mike looked worried about his family and friends that he had to leave behind. He leaned back in his seat and put his hat over his head. "I'll try and help you if you need it Hwa." Mike said.

"It is an honor to meet one of the daughters of Thea Lux." Yelena did not meet her mentor's eyes. She would be treated like royalty, she knew, not for her talents but for the talents of her family members. "Ah, you do not like to be compared to your mother." Yelena again ignored the woman. "My name is Faye." she extended her hand for Yelena to shake. "Yelena." Yelena whispered. "It was brave of you to volunteer for Alora." she gave Yelena a curious look. "Why did you do it?" she asked. Yelena looked confused. "I couldn't let my sister die. Alora is my light, I won't let her light be extinguished." Yelena said firmly. Faye smiled. "You're going to go far Yelena Lux. I promise you that."

---

Alora smiled at Suvansh. "That was many years ago." she turned to face the door as it opened. A young woman and a young man entered the car. The mentors. The young woman beckoned for Alora to follow her. Alora waved to Suvansh and then followed her out. "So, you are Miss Alora Lux, I assume?" Alora nodded. Her mentor turned around and stared at her. "You are the spitting image of your sister..." Alora froze. "You knew Yelena?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "I mentored Yelena... My name is Faye." Alora felt her world crumble to a halt around her. "You... mentored Yelena?" Alora repeated, feeling the tears she had been swallowing begin to well up again. "I asked to mentor you once I found out who you were."

Alora didn't mind Faye. Faye was a previous victor, one of many, but she seemed too genuine. "You're doing this because you feel like you failed Yelena, aren't you?" Alora asked abruptly. Faye looked alarmed but gave a week smile. "Maybe. But we need to talk about you. What are your strengths? You seem very fit, I'd guess you have a lot of stamina. But how strong are you?" Alora thought carefully before answering. "Average." that was a safe answer. "But I can do hand to hand. Also knife throwing." Alora added. Faye's eyebrows rose. "Hand-to-hand you say? Show me." Faye stood up. "I'll get in trouble." Alora said hesitantly. "No you won't." Faye replied. Alora narrowed her eyes. She began to scan Faye. Faye's stance was strong, so it would be harder to knock her off balance. Maybe the best thing to do would be to hit a pressure point and render her stunned for a few minutes.

Alora stood up. She set her eyes on Faye's right shoulder. She lunged forward but stopped short, landing two blows to the back of Faye's left shoulder and neck. Faye winced. "Interesting. Skillful, but not overconfident. Careful but not hesitant." Faye analyzed Alora's stance, walking circles around her. "Thanks." Alora murmured. "Listen to me right now Alora." Faye said suddenly. Alora looked up, and Faye put her hands on Alora's shoulders. "You can't get overconfident. You have to keep your eye on the goal. You don't make friends, you make allies. No one here cares if you live or die. Do you understand me?" Faye's blue eyes stared into Alora's soul. Alora nodded.
"For Yelena.

Faith continues humming, allowing Aether to rest against her. The gentle running of her fingers through her hair stopped, as Faith took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. She makes sure Aether is comfortable, before whispering “You’re okay now, I’ve got you. If you’re tired you can just rest.” Faith’s District trainer comes into the carriage. “I’ve been looking for you.” To which Faith replies. “You can talk to me here, what is it? Oh wait never mind. You’re the mentor who’s to help me survive. My strengths are that I’m ambidextrous, trained as an assassin, and also pretty smart. I can work with all kinds of things.”


Lilith’s smiles broadens. “Thank youuuuu~ Name’s Natalia, Female, Doll, aged 17. Likes pretty clothes and other things. Dislikes getting dirtied, being judged by others.” Everything after the thank you seemed to be a childish muttering, though if one listened close, they would realise she was talking about her doll. “Ooh, pretty teeth. Natalia thinks so too.”

---

Hwa flinched and shook her head vehemently. Black and blonde hair snapped against the soft skin of her cheeks, pinning Mike with wide eyes. "N-no please don't." She stammered, inching backwards. "I... Its okay. I don't mind dying..." Truthfully, the idea of anyone helping them sent terror running through her veins. She could still vividly imagine a head split open on the dirty ground, wandering hands, and red rimmed eyes. When people tried to help her, it always ended badly and they didn't want to risk anything else. Dying by her own hand was much better than having others help

---

Slowly blinking, Asahiko snorted. That was a first, someone thinking that his teeth was pretty. It was the furthest thing from but he would take the complement. "Thank you." He hummed nodding politely to the doll as if it was a real living breathing entity. "Asahiko. Male. Fifteen." The introduction was returned, if only out of politeness. This girl intrigued him and it would be interesting to see how she behaved during the arena. How someone so innocent looking yet so unnerving was utterly fascinating and he felt much more inclined to stick with this mystery girl much more than his district mate, if only to pick apart how she worked and her weaknesses

---

"... Hah. How did I end up here?"
"This is the funniest joke I've ever heard."
"Are you happy father? You finally got rid of your worthless, weak son."
Kendo let out a quiet laugh.
"S'not like anyone's gonna miss me."
Kendo examined his hand for a moment, before pulling off the bandages, revealing the large gash on it.
"... It got worse. Guess a slip of the blade really is deadly."
He leaned back in the seats, closing his eyes.

---

Dangerdangerdangerdanger Agria was running as fast as she could. Her arms were pumping, fists clenched, legs flying and beads of sweat rolling down her face. "C'mon, C'mon," she wheezed. In her dreams, she could speak, something that normally made her long for sleep. But on the other hand, she always sounded like her dead mother...the little voice that she could remember. Something was chasing her DangerDangerDanger It was getting closer, feet thumping, branches breaking, birds scattering. Agria realized she was running through the brush fields on the cliff in her homeplace. It was getting too close, when suddenly, she looked back and it was Auntie, as tall as the sky, and she was screaming out, MUTE! MONTSER! YOU HORRIBLE LITTLE GIRL! Evreything she rememebered, evrey memory of her life was surrounding her like mirages, evrey slap and beating, every night without food, and the images were getting larger and larger...wait, where did the ground go? She was falling, and falling, her voice screaming as she used the last few seconds of her life to remember that voice-

Then she woke up with a gasp, the only sound she could make. Tears were running down her face and she was sobbing, the bruises throbbing like she had just been slapped.

---

“Doll, Natalia. Name Lilith, Female. 18 years of age.” Lilith responds. After a while of silence, Lilith seems to want to change Natalia’s clothing. She holds up two sets of doll clothing, one more battle like, one fancy. “Which one do you want to pick?” Lilith purses her lips, and stretches her hands. “Eyelashes real too.”

---

Aether soon realized how weak she appeared at the moment, but she couldn't help but to let herself become soft, even if it was for an hour. Sure it could be used against her, but did it really matter? She had nothing to live for, nothing to go back to, so what was the point of returning? Besides, she couldn't brutally torture someone to death if she was already dead, so maybe her death was for the better. She already knew that the people of her district were rooting for her death, and that was fine with her. She closed her eyes, but couldn't fall asleep, especially with the arrival of a new presence. She quietly listened as it went on, piecing together that the newcomer was Faith's mentor, or at least the mentor for her district. Maybe she could listen in, just for a little bit...

---

Kendo jolted awake, hopping to his feet at the sound of sobbing. "What- Oh. Hey, you don't look so good." Kendo carefully stepped over to Agria. "... Nightmares, yeah?" Kendo nodded. "Nighmares suck. But cheer up a bit, laugh a little. Laugh take your mind away from negative and worse things, Y'know?"

---

Asahiko tipped his head, thinking. While the battle themed one was more appropriate for the situation that they were in, showing that the other meant business, the cutesy elegance of the other dress would essentially be one big middle finger to the capital. And if there was something that Asahiko liked more than anything, it was silently rebelling against authority. He pointed to the fancy one. "Will piss off the Capital." He explained, his grin sinister as he imagined how furious the capital citizens would be to see a doll dressed up to the nines. Undoubtedly, their stylists would put them in tacky outfits anyways so the elegance that Natalia exuded would only be magnified tenfold. The spotlight would be on Lilith and her doll

---

Mike nodded at Hwa before pushing the straw hat over his eyes, he put his arms around his chest before he started to relax. "I'll leave you alone I guess..." Mike said before he started to doze off, he tried his best to continue to stay awake as he started worrying again. "What if I die? What if I don't get to see my family again." He thought.

Faith’s mentor considers her for a moment. “Stop making friends, and alliances. It’s every man for themselves out there.” Faith’s eyebrow is raised. “I know what to do, thank you. And I couldn’t care less if someone tried to kill me. I know my weaknesses, I know what to do. Thanks anyways.” Her mentor seems to stare at her “Do you not want to survive? Okay then so be it. Make sure you have a plan to survive. Oh, and tell me your weaknesses later as well.”


Lilith seems delighted at his choice, clapping her doll like hands together. “We think alike. That’s what I thought toooooooo~“ Upon hearing about pissing off the capital, her grin becomes even wider, seemingly stretching to both corners of her face, revealing vampire-like teeth, though nowhere as terrifying as Asahiko’s. She goes away to a different section of the carriage, but soon comes back, Natalia in her new dress. Lilith was walking alongside Natalia, holding her hand as the two walked back, doll-like, to Asahiko. In reality, Natalia was being gently dragged along by Lilith, but it certainly appeared like Natalia was gliding along by herself. Lilith was pleased that Asahiko liked Natalia. He would certainly not be the first person she killed. Maybe the last, or not at all. It depends. Lilith plopped back on the seat, with her hair back in plaits, this time with red ribbons.

---

Just as Jason smiled back to Alora, his smile vanished, as he saw the mentors come in. The young man in particular. "Alex." he said, "What did I expect, of course papa paid you to mentor me." In front of him was the person who trained him for most of his life. District one was a district full of careers. And careers needed training. Who better to get to train your children than previous victors, when you can afford them? "Yes, he did, Jace, but that's none of your concerns right now. We have discussed your strategy, your weakness, and your strengths many times before, and we shall do it again, and again, in the days leading to the Games, you understand me?"
"Whatever" Jason replied with distaste. He made him train all those years, kay. He made him volunteer for the Games. And now, he controlled who got to guide him away from his certain doom. Or not. He could very well fail. Especially if he kept the same attitude all this while.
"Look Jason, I know you don't like me. We have established that enough throughout your years of training. Now, just bear with me for a week. Another week, and if you survive, which you will, you will never have to bear with me ever again." Max says, clapping Jason's shoulders.
Jason swatted his hands off, and muttered, "Okay." He wiped the expression of disgust off his face, knowing what Max said was true. In a week or two. Whether through his death or through his victory. It would finally be over. He grinned at the thought, and nonchalantly asked his trainer and now mentor, "Where do we start again?"

---

Raiyhan Vale.

"Strategy for survival?

Oh-uh..

To not die, I guess."

The boy chuckled darkly.

"Who am I kidding?

I have no strategies!

I'm good-for-nothing Raiyhan Vale.

I have no talents, I'm not special.

Look at me, how to you think that I could be Arena material? Eh?"

---

Minya Reedshaw.

Minya's smile widened.

"Oooh! You really think so?"

Then suddenly, it faded. She looked nervously behind her.

"I-...I feel like..."

She stiffened.

"I don't trust Riggs, not one bit."

Minya looked up.

"He said something earlier...that really shook me.

He's too bloodthirsty, he's gonna kill me the first moment he can."

Minya shook.

"He said I'm a mouse.

And that he was going to step on me.

And spill my blood.

He's really gonna do that, isn't he?"

Minya sounded so upset, and desperate. She seemed so small in this situation, like a tiny...

Tiny...

Mouse.

District 9 Carriage

The woman sipped her tea. As his words finished, she set it down on the table. But her fingers still lingered near it, tapping thoughtfully on the smooth surface. "I see." Then those sharp blue eyes snapped onto Majoree. "And you, girl?"

She flinched a tad, biting on her lip. She looked down at her lap. "I just hope not to disgrace my family name," she whispered. Tears were coming to her eyes again.

"Is that all?"

Majoree looked up, a little surprised.

"What-?"

"I'm asking both of you. Is that all? Are you sure that that is all you can accomplish with your lives? All you are satisfied to do?"

Majoree's eyes welled larger, and it looked as if she may begin crying again. But she clamped down on the tears. "You- what can we do? We're children. The Careers- they're trained adults. They'll crush us."

"Not adults. Children who've had an adult's thoughts bored into their skull." At Majoree's blank look, the old woman sighed. "They really couldn't have selected anyone worse, could they?" A wrinkled hand massaged her forehead, before dropping down, and reaching for the teacup. She nursed it for several long moments, not looking at either tribute.

Majoree fiercely rubbed the red from her eyes.

And then, the old winner sighed, placing down her drink.

"Try. Learn why you should fight. That is the only advice I can give you for the present moment." She stood up. Majoree watched her leave, the feeling around her heart freezing and digging into the walls of her chest.

As the door slammed shut, she released a loud breath. "What if dying is the purpose of me being here?" she asked to no one in particular. "Huh? Did she think of that? That I might be saving lives by staying here in somebody's steed?" Her fingers dug into the folds of her skirt. "I'm being selfless. How dare she..." She trailed off, catching sight of Raiyhan.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

---

District 7 Carriage (WITH MINYA AND DAWNA)

Dawna went rigid. "He threatened to kill you... hmm?" she said softly. A dark note had entered her voice and her eyes. "A coward's move. Intimidation before the games- Even to his own District partner." But Dawna relaxed a bit, noticing Minya's expression. "I don't believe he'll follow through on it. He has bigger targets than you, if that's even the angle he's going for. Just ignore his influence. Focus on yourself and your own improvements before the games."

She reached out a hand and clapped Minya on the shoulder. "For what it's worth, I admire mice. They're smart- they know how to store for winter. And it's damn near impossible to catch one. I believe you can win, even if you don't think you can."

A bang, from the other carriage. Riggs... Ash?! Dawna was on her feet in a second, storming up to it-

Then hesitated-

The door was yanked open, and through it, Riggs stormed out. Dawna reached for his shoulder, but he shrugged her off, making a beeline for his room at the other side of the carriage.

Metal slammed behind him.

Dawna turned back to the door-

Already, a bruise was forming over the entire right side of Ash's face. He was slumped against the doorway, hand feeling the bruise, running through the waves of his hair. He hissed through his teeth as his hand made a connection.

Dawna caught him just before he fell. "Are you alright?"

Ash coughed in response, shuddering in the enormous woman's grip. She cast a worried look back at Minya. "Minya... if you would, could you please fetch the inhaler from his room? I don't think he can make it on his own..."

---

Minya Reedshaw.

Minya looked terrified. She nodded quickly.

"O-on it-"

She quickly ran out of the room, weaving past people, until she found his room.

Minya burst in, her eyes quickly scanning her surroundings before quickly grabbing the inhaler and bolting out again.

"H-....here."

Minya gasped, panting wildly.

"W.....what happened?"

She asked quietly, panic-stricken.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh no. It isn't....Riggs?

He's done something hasn't he?

Oh no..

I-

I knew he was dangerous...

He-"

District 7 Carriage

Dawna paused, her index and middle fingers already plucking the inhaler from Minya's outstretched palm. She sighed and flipped it upside. "No... It's just an attack." Gently, she fitted it into Ash's mouth. Instantly, the tension released out of the winner's shoulders and he slumped in the woman's grip.

She guided him to the couch and let him sit, gratefully giving the inhaler a few more dregs. She turned to Minya and clapped a hand onto her shoulder. "You'd better go to your room," she told her. "I'll take care of Ash. We can continue discussing strategy in the morning. You need your rest."

Without letting Minya protest, she gave her a push towards the door Riggs had vanished through, then returned to Ash's side, whispering condolences and rubbing comforting circles into his back.

---