Chapter Text
"Up and at it, you have training to go to!"
Nobody groaned, rolling over.
"You have to train," scolded Artemis.
After some grumbling, he eventually did get up to get ready. He was given a basic full-green outfit. At least it was decent for moving around. He ate some food and went to the training center, mildly annoyed. He did not want to be training. But alas, he had to. Fuck.
»------▻
Everyone was eyeing each other warily. No one wanted to interact yet. Very slowly, the District 3 tribute (in grey) made his way to the knot-tying station, still casting his gaze around. Nobody took that as his chance and went to the camouflage station, hoping he could do something there. The trainer lazily explained how it worked. He began trying to paint his arm into a pile of leaves using the various juices and pigments available. The others made their ways to various stations and areas as well. Soon, he was joined by the District 9 tribute in a buttery yellow outfit identical to his.
"Hi," she said quietly.
He hummed a greeting, not wanting to interact.
"I'm Drift. What might you be called?"
"Nobody."
She frowned. "Is that really your name?"
"Well, I was just a nobody, so that's what people ended up calling me." He hoped his curt tone would get her to shut up.
It did not.
"Oh, that's kind of sad. But calling yourself 'Nobody' is also such a power move. Anyways, you're from 7, right? You certainly look like it!"
He turned to fully face her. She had bright honey eyes and caramel-colored hair. His gaze flicked behind her to the District 2 tribute (wearing orange), who looked remarkably similar. Funny coincidence.
"Has anyone ever told you you're very lonely?" Drift asked.
Nobody scowled at her. "Please shut up."
"Shutting up now," she said, zipping her lips.
She walked away to go bother District 11 (in an olive-green) at the plant identification station. Nobody closed his eyes and also left, moving to the weapons area. He decided to work on his archery, since Artemis had advised him that a bow would be useful in the arena. He was a pretty decent shot, if he said so himself.
»------▻
"Hello," offered a male voice.
Pearl slowly turned to see the District 2 tribute (Abolish?) walking over to her.
"Hey," she greeted.
"I'm Abolish. District 2. You're, uh, Pearl, right?" His tone was almost fully emotionless, expression perfectly balanced to show zero real emotion.
"That would be me. District 4. What do you want?"
He raised his hands in surrender. "You're a Career. I'm a Career. We're pretty much obliged to be allies."
"No."
Pearl herself was surprised she'd said that. She saw surprise flicker in Abolish's gaze as well before he schooled his expression back to a neutral smile.
"Why not? It would be smarter," he said calmly.
"Because I don't want to conform," she blurted.
He studied her for a moment.
"Then I will not spare you in the arena."
She grinned. "Just how I want it."
»------▻
Nobody was approached by the caramel-haired District 2 tribute. When he spoke, his teeth were unnaturally sharp.
"Hello there," he offered.
"Hello!"
Nobody jumped as a very loud voice boomed beside him. The District 1 tribute was right there (seemingly for the whole time, too, wearing shimmery gold). The District 2 tribute was completely unfazed as Nobody caught his breath.
"Good gods, warn a guy next time," he snapped.
"Sorry, pretty one. Hello, other pretty one!" Nikos exclaimed.
"Hello, Nikos. And you're... Nobody, right? I'm Abolish, by the way."
"Yes. Why are you both talking to me. Fuck off," Nobody snapped.
Nikos started to laugh. Gods, he was loud.
"You are funny. I like you," Nikos decided.
"Perhaps not allies, but shall we make a mutual agreement not to kill each other in the bloodbath?" Abolish asked.
"Sure! Just the bloodbath, though!" Nikos exclaimed.
"You could've just said you were a coward," scoffed Nobody at the same time.
Abolish's eyes flashed with anger for a moment. Without a word, he grabbed a sword and cleaved the head off a metal training dummy. He moved so fast, Nobody barely caught the motion. Everyone turned to look as the head clattered to the ground. Abolish was already putting the sword away. Several people were now mildly terrified. Nobody included. Nikos clapped him on the back.
"Well done, pretty one!" He crowed.
Abolish turned back to Nobody. "So, do we have an agreement?"
"...Very well."
Abolish's smile was not comforting in the slightest, more like a lion toying with its prey.
"Glad to hear it."
»------▻
"Guess who's back," sang Drift, approaching Nobody at the plant identification station again.
"Not you again," he said, though with less malice in his voice.
"Did you see what the District 2 guy did?" Drift whispered.
"How could I miss it?" He answered.
She shivered. "He's scary. I hope I don't have to fight him."
"You look a lot like him," noted Nobody.
Drift looked down at herself, then over at where Abolish was currently talking to the guy with 27 names (he said they should call him Scott, but Nobody had taken to calling him Dictionary in his head). She seemed to realize that they did indeed appear similar.
"Oh. Maybe we're, like, long-lost siblings," she giggled.
Nobody barked a laugh. "Perhaps in another universe."
"Should I talk to him or avoid him?" she mused.
"He's a Career. You'd die on the spot," he scoffed.
She slowly turned to look at him, squinting. Then she beamed.
"It almost sounds like you care~"
He flung an overripe blueberry at her face.
"Hey!"
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Ren Caesar had gone turquoise for the occasion, bright turquoise contacts, eyeshadow, and turquoise streaks in his dark brown hair. He was once again yammering away on the television.
"Now," he said, "I hear that there may be a little twist in these games, something about... multiple chances? Voting, perhaps? But we'll get that revealed before the interviews!"