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▎ RUINS   ▎
»»————-　act one. uneven odds
FOUR ━━ the enemy of my enemy

no one is you, that's your superpower

— dave grohl

IT WAS COMFORTABLY QUIET INSIDE THE ELEVATOR WHERE both Finnick and Erin stood, still wearing their costumes from the Opening Ceremony that had ended oy minutes ago. With a thoughtful sigh, Erin began to pick out the pieces of coral that had been meticulously placed in her hair.

Finnick watched her with a soft smile curling at his lips as she struggled to clean her hair out. When she couldn't find the last piece, he reached out and pulled it from her hair.

Erin looked up at him, her stony eyes now bright and happy.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"I can't wait to get out of this dress and get some sleep. God knows we won't get much once training starts." Erin groaned.

Upon entering the training center the next morning, Erin quickly scanned the room. Johanna was fiercely lobbing axes at dummies, Brutus was throwing spears, and Cashmere and Gloss were grouped together, throwing knives and laughing at each other. A grin crept onto Erin's face when she saw a variety of katana swords propped up against a sheet of metal. Without a second thought, she began to make her way over.

The smooth handle felt cool and familiar in her hands as she twisted the sword around, trying to get the perfect position while she also got a feel for the weapon itself. Erin carefully widened her stance and swung the sword clean through a dummy's head without hesitation. The head sounded out with a thump as it hit the floor.

She smirked with confidence as she noticed one of the Careers watching her. She winked mockingly at the girl before turning around and placing the katana down—now, Erin wanted to take a look around at enemies and allies.

When she began to wonder off to another station set up, Erin saw Katniss and Peeta make their way in. She smiled slightly as she watched them watch other tributes, obviously trying to pick out allies.

Erin casually fell into step with Katniss, who was walking over towards Wiress and Beetee; the two didn't acknowledge their presence.

"Well, friction generates heat, which generates fire and it—"

"You should shift your hands down more." Erin gently corrected with a warm smile.

The District 3 tributes looked up from their pile of wood. Erin grabbed a stick and demonstrated. "Move your hands faster." Katniss added.

The two girls crouched down beside the others, and she could see Wiress and Beetee exchange a look from the corner of her eye.

Erin watched at Beetee applied the advice, and after a few attempts, smoke drifted up.

"A little brute force—"

"Always helpful."

"Thank you." Beetee nodded humbly towards them.

"In the corner of the table." Wiress whispered, looking intently at the observation deck where the Gamemakers sat. Erin followed her gaze towards the Plutarch.

"Plutarch?" Katniss said what Erin was thinking.

"No," Wiress shook her head violently, "Next to him." Beetee looked up from his work, raising his glasses.

"Ah, a forcefield!" Beetee chuckled slightly.

"How do you know?" Erin spoke up curiously.

"The shimmering." Beetee replied as if it was obvious. "On the top left-hand side." He continued. "Look there." He directed her head slightly.

"You see it?"

"It looks like glass." Katniss marveled a bit.

Erin nodded, "It does."

"It separated us and them." Wiress said.

"That would be my fault," Katniss looked down, "I shot an arrow at them last year."

"Electromagnetic." Beetee appreciated, bringing his glasses back down.

"How can you tell?" Katniss furrowed her brow. Wiress and Beetee started giggling.

Erin raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what's so funny."

"Is it obvious or something?" Katniss tried.

"Is it obvious?" Beetee choked out, tried to contain his laughter.

"They might as well have a sign!" Wiress said.

"Look around you—all the holograms, the lights. They flicker. Why?" Beetee probed.

"Because the force field is taking up too much energy." Erin breathed out, her eyes widening.

"There's always a flaw in the system." Beetee shook his head with one last chuckle.

"Good news! At least half of the tributes want you as an ally." Haymitch announced, walking inside of the room.

"Well, they saw her shoot." Peeta nodded.

"Sweetheart, you get your pick of the litter." Haymitch hummed amusingly.

" I want Beetee and Wiress."

"Johanna calls them Nuts and Volts."

Haymitch laughed. "Who else?"

"Erin."

"Erin?" Haymitch repeated, baffled. "Do you ever listen to anything I say to you?"

"I can trust her." Katniss narrowed her eyes.

"She is one of the slyest tributes, and you think you can just trust her?" Haymitch asked, still in disbelief.

"I've seen her today. We can trust her." Katniss made her decision final, leaving no room for discussion.

Haymitch sighed. "I'll tell them you're still making up your mind."

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