Bridge The Gap (Marik/Umber)

As unfortunate as it was, Umber was getting used to life in the Capitol in some way. It had been so much to take in at first that the concept of anyone adjusting to life here fulltime seemed too daunting to even consider, but Umber's time was divided up into neat little compartmentalized sections: a timetable schedule printed by Demetria and left hanging in his door every single morning. Strategy meeting with Nico at 7:30 am sharp, wardrobe fittings with Bebe at 8. Breakfast and then training until noon, a brief window of alone time, sponsorship appearances- he felt like he'd finally gotten to the point in a new schoolyear where he didn't constantly have to pull out his schedule in order to remember which class he was supposed to head to next.

A quick glance up at the clock was all he needed in order to know it was lunch time. Rather than making his way over to the dining hall, he decided he wanted a quiet meal and opted for the top floor instead. The second the elevator doors closed behind him, Umber felt a sense of relief, as if a weight were leaving his shoulders. Even though he was sure there were a dozen cameras aimed at him right at this very second, at least he couldn't see the eyes glaring at him here. He could pretend he was someplace normal, doing some boring mundane task, like a business man taking lunch in his hotel room so he could have time to go over his notes.

Cut to Umber curled into a ball and munching on a bowl of sugary cereal when his other mentor, Marik, entered the room with a mission.

"I have something I'd like to talk to you about," he said. He still looked young enough that Umber felt kinship with him; the older boy had only one three games ago. His pale blonde hair and sharp features did well to make him seem threatening and quite serious, but there was still a youthful sparkle in his eyes which made Umber weirdly inclined to trust him.

"What are you going to do about allies? If there's no one in mind, going solo can help you too.

Ah, right. Allies. The concept had always seemed so daunting when he watched back home. The way he saw it, the more people you promised not to stab early on, the more of an asshole you became as the games wore on. Ya know, because only one person can live. Best case scenario is that at some point the people you've worked with the entire time are the last things standing between yourself and freedom. That's messed up! ""Uh, well, I've made some friends..."

Realistically, Umber also knew he wasn't many people's first choice when it came to picking allies.

"I like mayor's daughter from Six, Georgie. She seems trustworthy and reminds me of my friends back home." Even still, the concept of calling her an ally seemed a bit silly to him- it wasn't like they'd be top brass if they worked together. They just might be stronger together than apart; Umber considered that a friend more than an ally.