Iris had been in this position before.

She knew the drill. The swift goodbyes that never really gave anyone an opportunity to say goodbye, the tears streaking her parents' cheek and the stoic, unrelenting Capitol guards that ushered her on the train and away from the District she knew as home. It made no difference whether it was Victor Village nor the small ranch she'd grown up on; anywhere was better than the Capitol, full of luxuries that none of them could enjoy. But still she kept her face set in a emotionless mask. The cheer from District 5 had been surprisingly loud - perhaps they were glad to be rid of Uri's, the golden boy, murderer - and she'd been joined by thirty nine year old Yanin Scar, a man who know couldn't walk without the aid of a cane. She felt a flicker of pity for him; though strong in his youth, he'd barely last five minutes in Cornucopia's bloodbath. She wondered whether to pull the same trick again - though she doubted he would ask - and give him a swift exit from this cruel world. She wasn't scared of being painted as a villain. It had already happened once.

She hadn't cried, not even as her mother had handed her, with trembling fingers, the token she'd taken into the arena last time - her favourite silver hairpin. And not even when her gruff father had leant down to hug her. And not even when her siblings had complained about the unfairness of it all, trying to volunteer themselves, despite not being eligible.

But she could see the slight ease in their eyes. They knew she was a fighter - they knew she had a chance.

On board the train, she'd nodded along to one of the elderly tribute's advice, despite having heard it all the first time she'd been reaped. She found herself snapping at Yanin after he tried to get her to talk game tactics, yelling at him that they weren't even in the Capitol yet. And then she'd retired to her cabin and just sat, staring vacantly into space. She knew that it would be much harder this time and her chances of winning had decreased drastically from last time.

She knew that she'd probably just seen her family for the last time.

As the train slid into the Capitol - it's innovative architecture cutting through the clear, blue sky and gleaming in the sunshine - she snapped the blinds shut violently. They may look silver and pure, but the underneath was stained with blood.

---

The only thing that filled Arturo's thoughts was his father.

After having a son nearly die before his eyes, Arturo's father had been ill for months after Arturo's first Games ended and he had to nurse him back to health in Victor village - where the two had lived in relative contentment (as much as one can, after being forced into killing). Both worked as engineers and though they chatted frequently over dinner, they never went near the topic of the Hunger Games. It was the black stain on their past. And, now, it was oozing over onto their future.

"Four years ago..." Arturo's father kept ranting "We've had less than four years' worth of comfort and now my boy has to go through it all again...it's pure evil, that's what it is..."

Of course, the Capitol guards had soon shut him up.

The bruised, old man had hardly anytime to press the small token - a cog, from Arturo's first engine that he had built with his father - into Arturo's shaking, white palm before Arturo was ushered onto the sleek, white train of the Capitol and torn from his father forever. For even if the impossible happened and Arturo survived again, he wasn't sure his father could. And this time, he was against more experienced competitors who knew all his tricks and were ready, probably planning how to counter them as he was thinking.

He was sat on the plush, cushioned seats of the rear cabin, watching the power stations of his District whizz past him at hyper speed, thinking. He never stopped thinking and rarely spoke these thoughts. The female tribute - a pretty, 29 year old blonde named Mareena - entered and took the seat opposite him. She didn't speak either. He'd seen her passionately kissing a handsome, dark-haired man back at the station, both of their eyes wet with tears and he wondered the Capitol could do this to it's people.

Well, the answer was in the name. They were the Capitol.

The train slowed as it entered the impressive city itself, the buildings dazzling and the people even more so, in weird and wacky fashion, all attempting to outdo one another. In the station, Arturo even caught sight of a couple of them in the Arena bodysuits, laughing gleefully. He felt sick.

Home sweet home, he thought bitterly.

The journey had been a quiet one, for Silver at least. Brutus, the other District 2 tribute, was ready to get back in the arena. Every day he spoke of his eagerness and couldn’t wait to give the Capitol a show. Silver had nothing but sheer hatred for the Capitol, and somehow she hoped to sabotage their games. She was very influential amongst the Tributes. Being one of the most deadly Victors ever, she could only hope something would happen. They had watched the reaping’s, and Silver saw many she knew well called up. There were a few Volunteers, and the love story of 12 continued as Peeta volunteered to re-enter with his beloved Katniss. Silver didn’t buy it, but to be honest after her brother had died she had become cynical of everything. She was forced to relive that as well, and every year she had that forced in her face. Silver soon stopped watching all airings and kept being in company only to meal times. The food was still exquisite, and there was a large platter of her favourite beef and onion dish, but she really did not have much of an appetite. How could she? She was brooding all the way to the Capitol, ignoring everyone.

“Silver, they’re going to want to see the ‘Deadly Dancer’” Lyme said to her, a commander back in 2 and also one of the mentors.
“They can stick the ‘Deadly Dancer’ up their ass” Silver hissed back, as the train rolled into the station, and she saw masses of people calling for their tributes. “These games are farce… We were promised a life if we won” She shook her head, resisting the urge to flip off those that called out. “Now we’re being pushed back in because Snow isn’t happy with her from 12 and the sparks of rebellion!”
“Where did you get that from?” Lyme said, after a moment’s pause, looking anxious and impressed.
“I’m not just a pretty face who is good with blades” Silver stated, before storming out of her compartment. She joined with Brutus and left the train, and she ignored everyone and entered into the back of the truck.

Everything happened quickly, and they would have to ready for the opening ceremony quickly. After last year’s performance by the stylists of 12, they were going all out. Not that anyone really could match! District 2 was known for their masonry, but the stylists also wanted to portray how dangerous Brutus and Silver were. The pair of them was dressed in Gladiatorial fashion, with dynamic make up for her. She looked at herself in the mirror and she curled her lip; she thought she looked garish! However a wolf whistle sounded behind her, and Silver turned in a whirl of curls. She smiled as Finnick moved towards them. Now, she and Finnick had both fallen victim in more ways than one, being sold at will to the men and women of the Capitol. They had grown close to one another whilst being used by many. “Lady Vipointe” Said Finnick with a smile, encasing her in his arms.
“Odair” She replied, hugging him back. She would be sad to see Finnick go, he had become a friend in darkened times. “Here we are again” She said to him, as she stepped back.
“Yep… Only on the other side” He added sadly.

* * *

Frustrating was an understatement, and he knew he couldn’t rely on anyone here. His partner in the games was an addict, and his mentors were addicts. He despised Morphling, it destroyed all it touched. So Kaygo took it upon himself to educate himself, to learn who his opponents would be and what he would be up against. He knew most of them, and there were some who were more infamous than some. Then of course there was Katniss and Peeta, the newest additions to the Victor clan. Kaygo sighed, was their love real? Could someone be so completely in love with someone that they couldn’t live without them? Kaygo had never seen that sort of love before, not even from a parental part. His mother was dying and his father an addict and poisoned by toxic fumes. He could suppose he loved his brothers, his oldest one especially. They had trained hard since they were young; helping each other in combat should they ever be reaped. And of course, Kaygo had been repeaed, winning by using the skills he and his brother had taught one another. He knew now though, that he wouldn’t be as lucky as to survive by hanging from a tree. He was up against previous winners, deadly ones too! At least his family would live in comfort in the Victors village. Or would they be evicted? He felt sick at the thought and tried not to think on it.

As they pulled into the Capitol, his mentor came to him. “Uncle” Kaygo said, trying not to look at the sunken black eyes that always held horrors.
“Find Haymitch” He said in a jittery manner, as the doors slid open.
“Why?” He asked. Why would he want to find that drunk?
“Just find him” His uncle said with a nod, as Kaygo walked off the train with Lerol.

Walking down into the underground room, where the victors all stood talking and joking amongst one another. They were all dressed in their costumes, and some were gaudy. But Kaygo looked down to his own suit. It was dark grey, with moving vehicles roaming around the costume, with a grey head piece. He looked around searching for Haymitch and he saw the man talking with Chaff. Kaygo walked over and he excused himself. “My Uncle told me to find you” Kaygo said, and Haymitch looked around before he walked to the side with Kaygo. And indeed what he said definitely peeked his interest.