District 3 Train

The luxury of the Speedy train sits at the station awaiting its passengers.

Mikayla gets on the train. She isn't extremly surprised with all of the advanced technology, but the snack and the desserts were impressive. She sat down next to her co-tribute, Jarred.

They waited for their mentor

((OCC: Mikayla, I know that your knew here, so please don't double post unless necessary. If you need to add something to your post, there is an 'edit' button on the top right hand of your post. Thank you!))

I walked in, "Hey, I'm Markus" I say, sitting down across from them. "Otherwise known as the info kiosk for all your questions."

I cautiously switched my focus from the blurring view of the world I'd never seen outside my window to the girl beside me. "My name is Atom. Atom Cropper." I said, offering my hand to her.

I smile, "Thats great, making friends with your fellow tribute. so how will you be winning the games?"

Isn't that why you're here, Markus? I can use a knife, my father taught me, and I'm good at combat, I guess. But the only thing I know I'm good at is designing my games for the capitol.

I nod, "So, how can you use those knives to win?" I ask, "Thats what you'd like to know I'm sure. Well, you can hide and wait for tributes to pass by and take them out by sneaking up on them, or you can learn to fight with something else" I say.

I think of something else, "Or you can go your own way" I say.

I want to try and do whatever it is I have to do to win. My sisters have already lost both of their parents. I'll use the knife or I'll learn to use something else. Whatever it takes.

I smile, "Thats good, but don't forget your skills in electronics, they could come in handy"

"How so?" I asked, confused as to how my skills in designing video games could help me in the arena, "I know it's a game like the ones I make, but this time it's real. Knowing how to design a murder is different than actually killing 23 other people." I explained to Markus, although she surely knew that much already. After all, he had accomplished that task or he wouldn't have been here.

"You underestimate the usefulness of strategy in these games" I say, "If you can plan a murder, you can execute it" I point out to him, hoping the message gets there.

"It sure as hell will be easier to think about it that way." I nod, "Well, if it was one of my games, I think that I would work alone. You never know who you can trust, people turn their back on you all the time."

I smile mischievously, "Unless you use your 'ally' as bait for a plan." I say.

"Intriguing." I laugh, but I can't help the guilt that I feel inside. I sigh, knowing that I can't be bothered by betraying other people. If I want to win, I'll have to kill them all and I can't let guilt get in the way. "I guess as long as I'm the one with the power to stab them in the back, it can't go too badly. I just have to be in control."

I smile, he'd gotten the idea. "It isn't fun, but it can get you home" I say. I liked his take on the situation being presented to him, he didn't hesitate to make the tough moral decisions.

I grinned at Markus. I had a feeling that if we worked together, I might actually have a shot at this. "Did you have any specific ideas in mind?"

I nod, "In training, be sure to take some time learning snares and other traps. You can use them for food and adapt them to catch tributes" I say.

"Human traps? Keeping them still with no where to run will make it easier to kill them. I think that's a great idea. If you don't mind me asking, what is it that you did to win the games?"

I smile, ignoring any bad thoughts. "I learnt to use a spear well enough to defend myself, then set up different ruses to set each alliance against itself, and lead them to each other. I tricked them into a second Bloodbath, and just picked off the last standing.

I nodded, trying to ignore the obvious pain in his eyes that I had provoked. "You used your intelligence." I concluded. Maybe if I was smart, I wouldn't have to kill every person in my path. I just had to turn them against each other as Markus had done. "Maybe I could make it look like someone else laid out the traps. Turn them against each other."

I shake my head, "Only if there will be a survivor who you know has knowledge of that tribute or group" I say, "Otherwise you want them to be alone, so you can finish them off without anyone sneaking up on you" I gesture in a large circle. "Stay observant, you want to know where there might be another tribute watching someone fall into your traps."

"Thanks for the advice. How should I play it off in training? You said to spend time with snares and traps, but should I make myself look weak or intimidating?"

I shrug, "Stay out of the spotlight, don't let people know what you are planning" I say. "As for the private sessions, do some snares and get a decent score, once you are working in the arena I'll be able to bring in sponsors"