Not one Tribute could say that the train ride to the Capitol was completely relaxing. Every single one of them had something stressful on their minds, from thoughts of their families to the gore and death that would soon await them inside the Arena.

Madison gazed out the train window as it zipped away from District Two, watching the very last of her home disappear. She ran a hand through her short hair with a heavy sigh, closing her eyes.

Goodbye, District Two. I hope I'll see you again someday.

Soft footsteps sounded on the floor behind her. Maddie turned to see a familiar cat mutant enter the room, her expression completely neutral despite the sorrowful encounter that had occurred with their parents. Maddie opened her mouth, trying to speak to her District partner.

Their gazes locked, Madison's warm brown hues meeting Piper's intense green ones.

Whoa–those eyes. They're so...whoa.

"I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "A-about you being reaped and all that."

"It's unfortunate," Piper agreed evenly, her eyes still level with Maddie's. "I'm sorry you were dragged into these Games as well."

"Yeah."

Piper flicked her tail in acknowledgement, turning her head toward the entrance to the bedrooms.

Agh, she's leaving...all right, I have to find a way to keep her here. Keep her interested. Strike up a conversation. Ask her to ally with you!

The Latina opened her mouth again, but before a word could escape, Piper had left.

***

Penelope's tail was curled around her legs as she sat at the couch in the train's living room, staring up at the wide-screen television mounted on the wall. Onscreen, several actors from the Capitol performed a musical number in their over-the-top wigs and odd makeup.

"So this is what a movie made by the Capitol is like," she muttered. "I should've known."

I hope they don't make us dress like this once we get there, she thought. I would die before I dye my skin pink and blue.

High-heels clicked on the floor of the train as an attendant bustled in, a cheerful smile on her face.

"Do you need anything, Miss Sharma?" she asked brightly.

"No, thanks," the lizard girl replied, looking away from the TV.

"Where's your little friend? What's her name, Hazel?"

"She hasn't left her room since we got on the train. You should probably let her be."

Hazel's soft cries began to ring in her ears again, making her feel a new surge of sadness for her friend. They'd both left so much behind, it was impossible not to feel grief.

"Suit yourself," chirped the attendant with a shrug. "Oh, are you watching Saki? That's a great movie! It's all about President Saki's life, and–"

"No," Penelope answered. "I'm not watching it."

She stood up and left the room briskly, just as an image of Saki's menacing face appeared onscreen.

***

Katrina's brown eyes skimmed rapidly over the words in her book as she snuggled deeper into the living room couch. At her feet, several more books were stacked, waiting to be read. Guilt pricked the shorter girl's stomach for thoroughly enjoying her train ride.

I shouldn't be enjoying anything the Capitol has to offer.

Beside her, Kaya's black eyes stared up at the TV, as she watched highlight reels from Hunger Games of the past. With each death of a Tribute, the young insect girl would flinch or her antennae would twitch, but other than that she remained unbothered.

Katrina huffed in annoyance as a fly buzzed by her ear, swirling around her face. She waved her hands around, trying to shoo it off, but the little insect kept buzzing back. Kaya turned her head, noticing her district partner's dilemma.

"Stop," she ordered the fly. "Leave Katrina alone and fly somewhere else, please."

Katrina's breath hitched in her throat as the tiny bug obeyed, zipping away. She turned to her district partner, her eyes wide with shock.

"How did you do that?" she breathed.

Kaya shrugged. "It's part of my mutation," she answered.

"Oh my gosh, we have to ally," Katrina's voice was full of surprise.

"Okay," was the simple reply.

"Wait...seriously?"

"Yep. Unless you don't want to."

Katrina grinned, a light laugh escaping her.

"All right, Kaya. You've got yourself an ally."

***

A/N: So here's how I plan on doing things: I'll write one more scene on the train, which will be next chapter, and after that come the arrivals. Not all the OCs will be used in the train scenes, and this is simply to save time and get to the good stuff faster. It's not to exclude anyone, I promise. :)