The Motley Folk (Rizzo, Kara, Thundy, and Aya)

[Quint]

Archer Fields

So, it had happen. Everything up until the training center. This would basically be his first interaction with the rest of the tributes. He made no notion towards allying with his tribute counterpart. Though, he did decide he would need some allies to make it out of the arena. He definably didn't want to be in the Career Pack. Archer wasn't sure if he was ready to kill, but he did know he'd not be categorized as one of the ruthless tributes just because of his District. So, allies? Who would they be?

The District 12 male seemed suitable. But he was blind. Though he might be able to come of some use, right? Oh well, he'd leave him be until he felt that it was necessary to have an ally. But it was essential at this point. Many teamed up at this stage in the Games. The training center where 23 other kids were taught the ins and outs of weaponry and skills that they'd need in the Arena.

Archer did have one advantage though. He was from District Two. Meaning all of the other District Two tributes before him were usually Careers. The audience would expect nothing less from him. But that thought was quickly shattered. There was one flaw. He wasn't a Career. After all, who'd want to make an alliance with him? The only one who was probably weaker than him was the blind District 12 boy. Poor kid. He pitied him. Normally, Archer would've been enthusiastic about entering the Games. After all, he was suicidal.

But seeing this boy almost inspired him in a way. This boy stood no chance. But Archer was given an opportunity that the boy didn't have. A chance. And that's exactly what he needed. He hadn't begun to approach any of the training stations yet. He only stood there. Watching all of the other kids throwing spears at dummies and others struggling with tying a knot. Archer had no skills whatsoever. He'd better be a fast learner. He would need it.

He stared blankly at the District 3 tributes. If there was anybody he'd have a chance of allying with, it'd be them. Their specialty was within the factories and lay with technology. They didn't seem too harmful. Or at least they didn't look as strong as the other tributes. Even though they are one of the richest Districts, fighting wasn't their specialty. But neither was District 2's. Medical school and such. He could maybe apply that in the Arena. If he had actually bothered to pay attention in school.

Archer had decided it'd be best to let someone approach him. Though, he'd get a bit closer to them. Possibly hinting that he wanted an alliance within the Games. Possibly.

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[rizzo13]

Jeremy had never thought that it would happen. Out of all the people why did he have to be chosen to go the Hunger Games? He had never done anything wrong had he? Jeremy eventually came to the conclusion that it didn't matter though, all that mattered was the girl's survival. She was so innocent and had so much more life to live. Jeremy was just a low life from district 3.

Jeremy was busy studying plants when he saw a man staring at him from a distance away. He looked fairly wealthy by the clothes he wore but also seemed to be worried about something. Obviously The Hunger Games. Everyone around him was busy biting their nails or constantly rubbing their arms. They showed nervousness and anxiety. It was hilarious and yet sad.

Jeremy finally decided that the man was not going to quit staring him down so he walked over to him in a friendly way and said to him, "Hey, my name is Jeremy. You?" Most people at this stage wouldn't want to be too nice but Jeremy was the exception. He wanted to come across as nice so no one suspected that he had skills and was relying on alliances.

Jeremy thought about the girl that he had come here with. Although he pledged his life to hers he hardly knew anything about her. What was she good at? Plants, building, archery, hand-to-hand combat, painting? She didn't seem like one to fight but as he was always told as a child, never judge a book by it's cover. Jeremy wanted to keep her safe no matter what happened on the battlefield.

Jeremy looked around the room and saw people messing with traps and fiddling with knots and yet he saw no one making alliances ... strange. Usually this time was used only for alliances and spare training. All he saw were the people's eyes glued to the things they were working on. Maybe he could make an alliance with this man. What was he could at? What could he do to help Jeremy stay alive, but more importantly Ailia's?

[aya]

Halt, Arbor C.

Arbor did not know why he even bothered going to training at all. His district, Twelve, had notably few victors in the Games. Even the burliest of eighteen-year-olds did not typically do well. So why would he? At fifteen, he wasn't quite done growing. Arbor was skinny nearing the point of emaciation, and a meager five feet, eight inches tall. He'd never done much in terms of heavy lifting and definitely wasn't nearly as strong as the rest of the male tributes--let alone half of the girls.

And then there was the fact that he was blind.

No, he was not going to win these Games. That was for certain. Not when Shaw couldn't.

It was ironic, in a way, that Arbor was here, in the same room his first and only boyfriend prepared for his death a mere two years before. Here he was, for the exact same purpose.

Arbor could not win. He didn't even want to. But maybe--just maybe--he could have a hand in someone else's victory. He didn't really want to go back home. But if he could send someone else home, someone deserving? That would be great by him.

Leaning up against a wall, Arbor didn't yet actively participate in the ally-seeking process. Although it wouldn't likely happen--who would seek out a handicap to drag them down?--he would let the people come to him. He had to be interesting, right? Intriguing? Just standing there, not actually watching anyone do anything? Arbor could only hope that he would be able to find a worthy ally or group. Or, rather, that one would find him.

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[ja'mie]

A i l i a

The defiant one.

Ailia entered the training center with hazy awareness, her eyelids heavy and her head buzzing. The sleeping pill she had taken the night before was still wearing off, her energy depleted. Before leaving her room, she had considered taking another pill for her headache, but then decided against the idea. She had already consumed enough of the Capitol's 'poisin' supplements.

Her joints ached as she looked around wearily. Great, great. A lot of people were here, working on their skills, preparing to kill each other. Great, great, great, great...

The word echoed in her head, her conciousness drifting off for a moment. Ailia slammed her fist down on a table, awakening herself before she fell down for the second time that morning. She did anyway.

Pulling herself to her feet once again, Ailia rubbed the side of her head that had made contact with the ground. Closing her eyes with force, she opened them again and forced herself to pay attention.

So this was the training room? It definitely fit the part; there were stations upon stations, each one teaching something that could possibly save her life in the weeks to come... she would never have time for everything. Or atleast, to learn everything properly.

Well, she would start with the things she didn't know anything about, then. Perhaps terrain survival? Or spear-throwing?

She started to head towards hand-to-hand combat, or atleast, she though it was hand-to-hand combat, but suddenly the avoxes appeared with platters of food, setting them down on a large table to her left. She immediately switched directions, the aromas bouncing off the cuisine in waves, coaxing out her hunger. She reached for a plate, but ended up grabbing whatever was near her and stuffing it into her mouth before it ever made it to the shimmering china. Funny, how they put fancy dishes in a training center full of angry-starving-murderous teenagers. They really did want to give their tributes the finest.

She couldn't taste the food, but it didn't matter. She could feel it melting in her mouth, warming her insides.

Her head cleared a bit, and she was finally able to make sense of her surroundings, to scope out the only person she knew.

Jeremy was over talking to some person, a boy with shaggy dirty blonde-brunette hair and a tall frame. The District Two male, she recalled. Ailia had watched the reaping tapes last night, alone in her room, hot chocolate in hand. It had been easier to watch that way... to make her own assumptions. He hadn't seemed like a career, to her relief, even though he was from a higher district.

In person, he seemed even less of a threat. But you never knew. He could be one mean killer.

She watched Jeremy introduce himself to the boy, finishing whatever she had just eaten and reaching for another one. She awaited his reply, wondering whether he would return the exchange. The word 'alliance' flashed through her mind. Perhaps Jeremy had found a new friend?

[Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy]]

When Zinnia Yaren walked into the training center, the fact that she was really going to be in the Hunger Games hit her. Maybe it was all of the many stations which taught you how to survive. Maybe it was the many instructors, more then ready to train all of them, just to send them off to their deaths. Maybe it was the fact that everyone in the room would eventually want to destroy her for their own well-being.

Just about every tribute in the room was communicating with another, except for a few people who stood by themselves. To survive in the Hunger Games, you almost had to join an alliance, especially if you weren't a Career, or if you were weak or untalented. Zinnia was from a Career District, but she was definitely not a Career. She was weak, and on her best days she would go up and say one word to someone, let alone trust them. Her worst days were more violent.

So how on earth was she going to make an alliance with a tribute, knowing that they would soon be out to murder her? In her whole life she only ever trusted a few people, so it would be nearly impossible to trust someone in such little time. She didn't particularly want to walk up to anyone and start a random conversation, but she had to. If she went into that arena alone, without any allies, she would most surely die. Everyone else was in a group, so if she encountered one of the groups out there, it would be her against all of them. She didn't quite believe that she could win it, but she didn't want to die immediately either.

Alright then.. who should I talk to? She asked herself, not really wanting to walk up to anyone but knowing that it was essential to her survival in the future. There were a few boys standing off to the side and conversing, and Zinnia recognized them as the the District 2 and District 3 males. Not far away, standing and listening to their conversation, was the District 3 female. She was extremely small and weak-looking, at least compared to the people that Zinnia was used to seeing, but she hesitantly approached the girl anyways, because she appeared to be the only person who wasn't already talking with someone else.

A second before she walked up to the District 3 female, Zinnia wanted to turn back and simply ignore everyone while she trained. Who needs an alliance anyways? It's too much trouble.. No, I'm just afraid to talk to people.. she told herself silently, knowing that she was correct. Whenever she talked with people, they treated her like dirt. So naturally, she was afraid to talk with them. Not that she would admit that.

The only time that she was really strong when talking with someone was when she was arguing with them. Anger was a simple emotion. As much as she hated to admit it, Zinnia knew that it was easier to be angry with someone then to let yourself be hurt.

She had three options. One option was to walk away from the girl, pretend like she never attempted to talk with her, and go do something else. If she did that, she would have no alliance.

The other stupid option was to walk up to her and argue with her, which would be completely random and pointless. Even though it would be easier to do that in the present moment then it would be to actually be nice to her, it would only make her life a lot harder in the arena. She would have made herself an enemy.. and judging upon the size of her soon-to-be alliance, several enemies. Plus, she wouldn't have an alliance.

Her third option was obviously the correct answer, even though she didn't want it to be. She would have to keep walking and strike up a conversation with the District 3 female, try and act pleasant, and hopefully gain the girl's trust in order to join whatever alliance that was starting to form.

Of all things, why am I afraid of this?

With a sigh, Zinnia took option three and forced herself to walk as calmly as possible over to the girl. Without a preamble, Zinnia spoke up. "I'm Zinnia, and you're.. Ailia?" She asked, staring up at the ceiling for a moment while she tried to remember the Reapings that she had viewed last night. Without waiting for an answer, she continued. "So, here's how it is. Everyone in this room seems to be working on allying themselves with other people, except me. I need an alliance, are you in?" She asked, very straightforward.

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[Quint]

Archer Fields

Alliances. Essential. Necessary. And none the doubt a complete help in the Games. Though sometimes, okay, many times, they backfired and it turned out that the knife lodged into your back was driven in by none other than what you believed to be your trusted ally. It had happen several times over the years. And even now, that Careers seem nonexistent in these Games. Almost everyone stood a chance. Except for a motley few.

Archer Fields, of District 2, was not a Career. But nonetheless, he might be able to stand his own ground. With some help of a worthy ally or two. And after waiting for someone to approach him, another tribute walked up and introduced himself. The male of District 3, he recalled.

"Hey, my name is Jeremy. You?" So his name was Jeremy. Archer made no intention of introducing himself just yet. Especially when the boy's tribute counterpart approached as well. Standing not too far from Archer and Jeremy was the District 3 female. She only watched, speaking nothing. It was quite awkward. It was completely normal. Who wouldn't? Especially when reviewing the other Reapings in his dormitory, Archer had seen that the boy had whispered something to the girl. Obviously a District alliance between them.

Speaking of alliances, he had the perfect opportunity to join in with these two. They posed no threat. Or at least ones he could see. Archer was weak compared to a tribute, but he had been known to fight. He had been in enough fights to know how to take care of himself. The very nerd he was, he did know how to beat someone to the pulp when necessary. But what was he thinking? He was weak. Insecure. Scared. But he felt that he could take the District 3 tributes if needed, but what he wanted was more important at the moment. An alliance. And that's what he did. Exactly what he did.

"Archer Fields. District Two," he stumbled. He honestly didn't have time to chat with them. Because even though he was wanted them as allies, he did, in fact, have someone else in mind as well, recalling the District 12 boy. "Look, seeing as you approached me, I already know what you might want. I don't have time for this. I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I suggest you do the same."

He looked down at the ground, slipping his hands in his pockets. His voice was very cold and monotone. Dead even. The very description that be placed upon him if he made the wrong choice in choosing these two as allies. "So, I was thinking. Maybe we can form something between us three? An alliance perhaps?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

District 12. Male. Skinny. Short. And one other thing, he was blind. Not exactly what you'd look for in an alliance in a game where you know at least 22 other people might kill you and your ally in less than a blink of an eye. Yet, that's exactly what Archer Fields was looking for. He wanted someone who didn't pose much of a threat. Someone who he could simply rely on and someone he knew wouldn't even think of betraying him early in the Games. He had no intention of ending this boy's life. Whether they were in an alliance or not. He simply couldn't bring himself to do it.

Archer vowed to himself that if he wasn't going home, that boy was. It was the least he could do. After seeing all the other tributes, he felt this boy deserved it the most. He stood alone, not desperate, not worried; controlled. And yet again, that's exactly what Archer Fields was looking for. He walked slowly over to the boy, only to overhear the conclusion his conversation with another boy. The boy from District 11 he believed.

"Don't take it personally,"the blind boy said. "But I don't think a liability such as myself would be worth your time as an ally. I feel like I'm not the kind of person you're looking for. I have to decline."

So, this boy did have something to him. If it was somehow getting the District 11 male to ask for an alliance and then seeing as the blind boy, let alone the fact that he's from District 12, declined his offer in an alliance was just remarkable. Almost amusing. Almost. This boy was serious. Though he did appear to have some...spunk. Archer couldn't place it. There was something about this boy that made him, oh what was the word? Intimidating. Yes, that was it. Intimidating. He showed no fear. No sign that he had a disadvantage. In fact, he acted like he wasn't even blind at all. An excellent ally if he could say. An excellent ally, indeed.

Archer approached the boy. "Very well put if I might say," he greeted, not showing any expression in his tone. If he wanted an alliance with this boy, Archer would have do much more than whatever the last guy in line did. Much much more.

[aya]

Halt, Arbor C.

It was weird for Arbor to have so many people approach him at a time, especially considering the fact that everyone in the room would need him dead at some point if he were to survive. A lot of them had probably written him off already. He himself had already discounted the possibility of victory.

Back in District 12, people tended to avoid Arbor, or he avoided them. Neither wanted anything to do with others, so they stayed out of each other's way. But today, he was approached by more people than he typically was in a week.

He had deflected the alliance offer of the cocky District 11 kid with relative ease, and he wasn't really interested in the others from that station. They weren't who he was looking for.

It was the latest addition to the droves that seemed to be swarming him that caught Arbor's attention in particular, praising him for his dismissal of the previous boy's offer.

"I was merely stating the obvious,"

[/b] he told the newcomer simply, even though this was not the case. He hadn't truly believed everything he had said, although some of it was true. Instead, he had done his best to refuse an alliance that would make him miserable and make it seem like it the other person's fault in the process. Who said actions speak louder than words?

"I'm Arbor, by the way. "[/b] He was introducing himself to everyone today. Perhaps he would be able to exploit the pitying glances that he so often despised, that he knew he had been receiving since the Reaping. He wouldn't win, but he could damn well come close--or give someone halfway decent the chance to.
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[ja'mie]

A i l i a

The defiant one.

Ailia watched as the District 2 male started to reply. He had his hands in his pockets, his gaze towards the ground.

She watched them curiously, tugging on the durable training suit that made up her attire, it's black synthetic material silky between her fingers. She didn't even remember dressing this morning. Had her prep team come in? Or possibly an avox had taken pity on her and decided not to let her wander out in her pajamas?

Either way, she looked like a tribute now. A debilitated, insubstantial tribute, maybe, but a tribute none-the-less.

It gave her mixed feelings. On one hand, she was delighted. It made her feel powerful, flexible. On the other hand, the suit was forced upon her, capitol made. And just like that, her power had been taken away from her.

"I'm Zinnia, and you're.. Ailia?"

Ailia looked up to the voice that now loomed over her. A female, brunette, green-eyed. About as frail looking as herself, granted, she had the height of a career.

"So, here's how it is. Everyone in this room seems to be working on allying themselves with other people, except me. I need an alliance, are you in?"

... District One. Possibly trained for the games? Probably not. The girl looked malnutritioned enough as it was...

Ailia evaluted her for another moment, before her own eyes dropped to the half-eaten comestible in her hand. Now that she had the chance to look at it, it seemed like some sort of buttermilk biscuit, dipped in honey sauce, perhaps?

Sinking her teeth into it once more, Ailie considered the girl's offer.

This girl did not seem like an impending threat, or worse, someone that would be agonizing to work with. In fact, She seemed interesting. And Ailia hated to be bored.

Sold.

"I'm in," Ailia affirmed, grinning down at the confectious treat she still grasped. "Although, you might be getting more then you bargained for. It seems as though I am now allianced to another male tribute by default. District Two."