Makin' friends ain't easy. (Aqua/MJS/kayl) -blitz-

I chuckle at his remark. Somewhere between certain death and a week huh? Being alone at this point is certain death, because survival alone is practically impossible. Everyone is able to do something so that the others can survive. And I'm sure this one can be of use to me after seeing him throw knives. He just needs more concentration when throwing the implement. That or I'm just mistaking the credibility he had just shown. Either way, I want him on my team. Being alone right now isn't an option at all.

So I point to the other groups forming around, not saying a thing but keeping as discreet as I can. Each person, talking to one another like friends. It bothers me still. Friends get you no where, but a mutual ally, that will take you places. A person to watch your back, but also knowing to watch his own. I trust that this will function with this kid. Then again, nobody here is a kid now. We've grown into the habit of readiness that I've had for so long. I must be ready for more people like me.

"The first hour will be the worst. Running in alone is suicide, even for me." I lean on a nearby shelf and look off at the others. "The thing is, having someone at your back for awhile isn't a bad idea, is it?"

I hold my breath and think. This is a new development. I did not expect the girl I was eying before to approach us, nor did I figure my district counterpart to come up toward us. She did not seem so friendly on the train ride, but now she wants to talk to us. That doesn't bother me one bit though. The more the merrier, that was the phrase right? But we hardly have time for thought. The others will definitely see the smaller groups as nothing more than easy game. If they still think we're easy teamed up, then they've got another thing coming. Especially with me around.

"At the current moment, an alliance wouldn't hurt." I give an eye toward the girl from ten, and motion for her to come over with us. "Right now it's looking like it will be a gore fest."

I then proceed to crack my knuckles and sigh, thinking it over aloud. "The worst of it is people are already family in this, making them the biggest concern of fans. People like us are getting left out, and the family is more likely to survive compared to the little maggots."

A gay romance? No wonder I didn't follow this girl around in the district. She has her tendencies I bet, as well, to suggest such petty things. Who needs love in a world gone mad? Then I remember this is the capitol we're talking about. They go over such useless things such as this. But I'm not getting near either of these people enough to fornicate. That's what love is, right? The animals do it all the time and the owners of the slaughterhouse make fun of the animals for it. That's what romance is, just a comedy and a farce. Not something for me. And I doubt I could have this girl, the district ten girl, try it. She almost seemed too excited by the notion to bring it up. That leaves the other two.

"Alright then, it's settled," I smile looking over the boy from five and the girl from three. "You two, get to smoochin'."

Genius plan Damion. Nothing can really be wrong with this, right? They seem normal enough to like one another, if it really came to terms like that. And hell, if anyone tried to copy their romance, I could just hack away at the others. These two were going to play it up for the camera's so that the four of us could make it passed the first day.

"Don't be shy now."

I'm choking, coughing and hacking as the thought enters my mind after she announced what the next step of plans was. Where does she get off telling me what to do!? I'm god damn Damion Winters, the maddest tribute to ever live. Did she even realize what element this girl was messing with? I'm not something that can be contained easily. And the gall... whatever that word really meant. The books in the room seemed to have these strange words, but whatever! She must've known me from the district. I wasn't someone you normally associated with. And then she grabs my hand, soft at first but then tightens her grip. What in the hell is possessing her to do such stupid things? Maybe a good strategy for the arena but then comes what happens when we show our true selves.

I grip her hand, if not tighter, and smile back toward her. Under my breath, toward everyone, I mutter, "If you say a damn thing, I'll wring ya neck."

So now I have to pretend to understand this concept of love. What the hell is love? It's that thing you feel when someone is close to you, worth protecting. Is anyone worth protecting? My sister was worth protecting. Remie. She would be something I would want to protect if I could go in with her. But she died, years before, and now here I am to prove our worth. So this girl, just picture her like my sister. That's all I have to do right? Love her like something I cherish. Build the stupid facade that we need. And for that moment I roll my eyes and bring the girl in for a hug. Close, comfortable. Not too tight. What I would give her if she had survived the arena that day.

"You best be ready to play," I mumble to Lydie.