CHAPTER NINE
alliances

WHEN NIGHT FELL, ELEANOR ONCE AGAIN COULD NOT SLEEP. This seemed to be a new occurrence, something she was welcoming, however, because it simply reminded her that she was still alive. Sure, the unpleasantness of insomnia was overwhelming, but the absence of life was sickening. What if she closed her eyes and awoke in the arena? What if the next time she opened her eyes would be when another tribute is finishing her off?

In less than one week, six days precisely, Eleanor Eves would be a body in a coffin, buried by her best friends. They'd lay tulips at her grave, mourn with a few passing words and tears and then move on. Finnick and Annie would be reunited once again and be able to live as much of a life as they would be able to without her.

As they need to, Eleanor grimly reminded herself. They couldn't dwell on the woman she could have been if she survived her games.

She had spent too much time using the projector to flicker to different settings which seemed to be different beaches, staring at the golden sand which reminded her painfully of home. The nerves of everything suddenly falling on her became overwhelming and she laid, fixed in bed. Hours turned to dust before her very eyes, falling through the crevices of her boney fingers and vanishing beneath the floor board.

Though, the illusion of time shattered when she heard faint knocking on the bedroom door. Her eyes snapped to the metal frame, nervous as more clatters sounded. She finally exhaled, getting off the bed and slowly making her way to the door. When she opened it, she was shocked to see Kai Vains standing before her, snotty and tearful.

"Can..." He hesitated ever so slightly, though the moment Eleanor placed her hand on his forearm, he seemed to relax into her touch. His eyes welled with tears that he clearly needed to shed, though was too scared to release. It made Eleanor's heart drop, watching such a kid struggle in these moments. It took time, though he remained reluctant to truly reveal exactly what he wanted. Finally he gave him. "Can I stay with you?"

The way his eyes watered immediately told Eleanor everything she needed to know; he was scared. Immediately, she opened the door fully and pulled him in, embracing him. It took a while but eventually he calmed down and they laid on top of the silk duvet together.

"My ma and momma, I miss them." He whispered softly to Eleanor, his voice cracking with emotions as he began telling her all about home. He told her about life in The Cove, about his family, about his friends. He had so many stories to tell, yet he was so young. Eleanor was practically beaming at the idea that when he got home, he'd have the ability to make even more memories and tell those stories to those who will come. "Me and my siblings, we shared a room. It's not too big, not too stuffy. It smells of home.  Ma and momma slept in the room besides us and we'd get up early to go shell hunting. Ma and momma nearly always throw water at us, running away..." He sniffled ever so slightly, a single tear falling down his cheeks at the painful memories. His words were caught as they reached Eleanor's ears."I miss them."

Eleanor cooed at him, pressing an affectionate kiss to his head. He leaned into the warmth of her touch, craving the affection he must have resonated to his siblings and mothers. "I know, I know. I miss my ma too."

Eleanor missed her ma, not the shell that was left in District 4. She hoped that once she finally passed, maybe Sue Eves would finally re-emerge from her shell and become whole once more.

"I'm sorry you're here," Eleanor whispered to Kai, her words truthful and emotional. She was sorry, that such an innocent boy would be paying for the sins of his ancestors. Why must they pay with their lives for the sole price of attempted liberation? The concept alone was baffling, though a nation like Panem never truly knew freedom.

Maybe they will one day, but not today and not yesterday or the day before.

"I'm sorry too," Kai mumbled back, already feeling woozy in her warmth. He basked in the kindness Eleanor presented and Eleanor so desperately wanted to give him more. The child in front of her deserved more than a potential death sentence, he deserved so much more than to be comforted by a girl who would soon be a corpse.

He deserved so much better than any of this.

"I want to be more than an ally to you," Eleanor whispered gently, wincing when Kai froze ever so slightly. "Can we be friends?" When she felt him nod, she relaxed greatly and immediately engulfed him in infinite questions. It seemed they spent ages talking about anything, about life back at 4, about people they loved. One caught Kai's attention and the boy laughed.

"My favourite colour?" He grinned at Eleanor, making her roll her eyes ever so slightly. She had no clue why such a simplistic question was so funny, though maybe Kai found it funny because it was simplistic. Eleanor had no idea. He had a look in his eyes which told her she reminded Kai of someone he knew, but Eleanor didn't know who exactly. Whoever this person was mattered to Kai. "Red."

"Why?"

"You're seriously asking me why my favourite colour is red?" He raised his eyebrows up at her.

Eleanor defensively raised her hands. "It's curiosity!"

He grinned. "Ma's dresses are always red. Red reminds me of home." The answer was simplistic, yet stuck with Eleanor like glue. It hit her that he would forever cling to the memories he had of his mothers, of his Ma and Momma.

Eleanor wondered why red. Why the colour red of all the colours in the rainbow? People in 4 never dressed brightly, often crowds filled to the brim of swarming shades of greens and blues. It was a district token in a way, a trait most seemed to possess.

But thinking back to it, Kai Vains' trousers did not match any of the other boys'. He simply wore a deep shade of burgundy red, an odd red fish in the sea of blue and green. Eleanor wished he could've told her the full story of why a family custom of his is to wear red. Maybe there was an ancient tale that marked red as the colour of the Vains family. Maybe it was simply preference.

She just wanted to know. She wanted to know everything that made Kai's life worth living.

It was then Eleanor decided that she needed to keep him alive. He needed to live the life in the deep shade of red he always wore, he needed to watch the sunrise from his small home.

He needed a life, more than Eleanor.

Before she had been hesitant, ever so selfish as she imagined a life of victory, a life with Finnick. Sometimes, in her stupid fantasies, Eleanor imagined a life with Finnick, where they adopted a random stray they found off the street, fed it biscuits they had to spare, and danced in the rain showers.

Life in her fantasy was so simplistic and Eleanor adored it. 

But, Kai had a family waiting for him. He had a Ma, who wore red, to hug, a momma to kiss. He had siblings to taunt, a life to live.

Eleanor may be dying young, but she has lived a longer life. She's kissed, she's had boys and girls alike falling for her charm, she's seen babies born and held hands with dead before they said goodbye. She had watched the cycle of life before her very eyes, which now seemed ancient and rusted in comparison to Kai.

Kai has not lived. Sure, he has stories. Those stories carry life, but he has not lived.

He barely knows what living is.

But he will.

Waking up the next morning wasn't difficult for Eleanor and Kai. It seemed as though they slept a lot better with each other nearby than alone. Eleanor yawned as she lazily sat up in bed, immediately jumping out of bed and grabbing a dress from the wardrobe, going into her bathroom. It didn't take her that long to get ready, especially since she was very aware she would be getting changed into a training uniform later.

When she got out, Kai had already left and was probably getting changed himself. She breathed out as she grabbed a hairbrush from the bedside table, quickly running it through her hair. She tucked a strand behind her ears, wiping her hands on her dress and breathing out deeply.

The moment she heard Thana's overexcited shrills on how important today was, Eleanor scrambled out of her room. It seemed as though Kai had done the exact same thing, joining her side immediately as the pair were met with Thana's excited face.

Thana clapped her hands together. "Great! Perfect timing you two!" She turned on her heel, moving forward and beckoning them to follow her. Eleanor turned and shrugged at Kai, moving forward to the dining room. Eleanor sat just opposite Finnick, shuffling on her chair so that she was sat properly. She gave a small smile to the boy in front of her, though it was horribly obvious to her that he wasn't okay. She quirked her head to the side, her eyes falling on the dark bags underneath Finnick's eyes. Eleanor reached forward and grabbed some waffles, putting them on her plate. Her eyes remained focused on Finnick, staring at his exhausted demeanour. He sighed as he cut into his pancakes, before realising she was watching him. Immediately, he straightened his posture, rolling his eyes ever so slightly as he watched Eleanor grab a large helping of berries, sprinkling them on her waffles with contentment.

Eleanor's blue eyes snapped upwards once again, meeting sea green. "What?" Her head tilted to the side with a small smile.

Finnick defensively placed his hands upwards, dropping his cutlery as though he had been ambushed. His ever present frown was replaced by a smile, but Eleanor wondered just how genuine it truly was. "Just judging you for the waffles."

Eleanor scoffed. "Waffles are nice." She threw some berries into her mouth, smirking in spite at him.

"So are pancakes and you gag at them." Finnick pointed out, comedically pointing his fork Eleanor's way. Kai and Mags both chuckled at the exchange between the pair, though Thana seemed displeased at the bickering at the table. Neither teenagers remotely cared. Regardless, Thana Fatale seemed too heavily involved in fussing over ELeanor, perfecting the braid she was finally finishing off.It was something she keenly insisted on doing simply because she adored connecting with her tribute, though everyone seemed aware that Eleanor was the only tribute she wanted to connect with. Finnick kept a watchful eye on them, his eyes following Thana's. "Anyways, today you guys have training. Training happens for 3 days, then we will have your-"

Thana excitedly cut Finnick off with an over-zealous tone which completely contrasted his completely serious attitude. "-individual assessments, then preparation for your interviews and then, the games! Isn't it just exciting?" She clapped her hands together like a hyper toddler, clearly not getting the mood of the room.

Finnick gave a slight glare at the Capitolite, though Mags placed a hand on his forearm and he took a deep breath in. Finally, Mags continued. "Once training is up, you have prep for the interviews with Caesar, just like Thana said. We'll explain that to you both when the time comes." She gave a warm smile and placed a comforting hand on Kai's forearm, something that relaxed him greatly. "Though, you two have attracted great amounts of attention. Interviews will only sell you two further."

Thana chimed in optimistically. "They adore you both! My, the girls kept gushing how gorgeous your body is, Eleanor. You're like a goddess to them." Thana reached her hand out and cupped Eleanor's cheek, stroking it gently with her pointed nail.

The comment made everyone remain quiet for a moment, Finnick putting his fork and knife down and leaving the room quietly. Eleanor turned to watch him leave, taking note on how his fists clenched ever so slightly as he walked away. Thana scoffed almost immediately at the action, moving quickly to catch up to him. The echo of her heels thudded as the door slid shut and Eleanor was going to follow them, but Mags held her back.

"Is he okay?" She asked the older woman with concerned eyes. She watched as Mags' face softened, wrinkles becoming a lot less defined, as she stared into Eleanor's eyes. "I should go check."

Mags once again shook her head. "No," she softly replied, her lips turning upwards ever so slightly. "He'll be okay. He's just worrying a bit too much."

"About me?" Eleanor's frown became more defined. Finnick had plenty to worry about in life. He had to worry about his dreams, his day, the people he met. The less people he worried about the better. Truly, Eleanor hated the idea he worried about her. It stressed her out and made her feel violently ill.

Finnick deserved peace.

"Please, I don't like asking for favours, but can you make sure he doesn't worry himself too much? I just- he's an idiot at times." That was definitely the most logical explanation. Not that he worried himself to the point of nausea and insomnia, but that he was an idiot. Mags gave a chuckle, shaking her head once more. There was a knowing smile on her face, which seemed to find Eleanor's behaviour too humorous. "Please?"

Mags finally relented, eventually letting the pair go for their training session. She had explained that both Finnick and her would be helping them privately: Finnick with more physical skills like fighting, while Mags would be more towards survival. Her advice had been to focus on survival in front of others (something Eleanor planned to do regardless).

Eleanor hated the feeling of being watched. She realised this the moment she saw the Career pack looking her way. She had tried focusing more on the plants she was studying, but ever so often her eyes caught sight of the group of four who seemed to always have an eye on her at all times. They were an odd group of people, a blonde haired girl not really caring for the other tributes as she focused with her sword, while the other three seemed to eagerly watch others. There was something intriguing about the other girl, who had the coldest grey eyes Eleanor had ever seen. She looked away from Eleanor the moment their eyes met, blue meeting grey, sea meeting the moon.

The brunette turned her attention back onto Kai. "You okay?" Eleanor nudged Kai ever so slightly. He turned to her with a slight smile, humming his response. He fiddled with his nails, until Eleanor grabbed onto his hands and held them tightly. "You're fine. Just try things out."

"Will you help me with these?" Kai gestured to the plants in front of them. He tapped onto the screen, the plant enlarging in front of them. The name was highlighted in bright white.

Venenum Osculum.

"Venenum Osculum." Eleanor tested the way the word sounded on her lips, the twinge of bitterness from the words alone already telling her enough. She scrolled down on the hologram, reading out the information. "Found in tropical climates, modified by the Capitol. Class I toxicity, although not lethal unless the insides are exposed."

Kai focused rather intently on the plant, nodding at Eleanor and moving onto a different plant. Eventually he seemed comfortable working on the plants, matching poisonous to non poisonous. Eleanor had decided she couldn't baby him all throughout training, so she instead moved over to the knot station. Ever so often, she would focus on Kai as he was joined by another young boy, who seemed eager to learn about the different plants and match them up.

It seemed odd, but of course the two youngest kids banded together.

Eleanor attentively weaved nets the way she saw people down The Quay weave them. The instructor at the station was more than happy to assist Eleanor at first, though she eventually got the hang of it and was left to her own devices. Of course, she wasn't perfect at first, but she got the hang on it.

"Neat basket, fish sticks." Eleanor turned and saw a girl with shoulder length blonde hair and an overly cocky smile. Her eyes were a lidded blue, tinged ever so slightly. Eleanor nervously stared at her for a moment and she seemed to enjoy the staring, simply cocking her head to the side. The girl brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, holding a hand out for Eleanor. "Marlene Woods. District 7."

"Eleanor Eves, District 4." Eleanor gave a curt smile, though Marlene simply scoffed.

She leaned over the basket, examining it with a small smile. "I know who you are, fish sticks." The comment was odd, though Eleanor could tell Marlene meant no harm in it. She leaned over ever so slightly, her hand reaching onto Eleanor's hip and pulling her close. Her lips barely brushed her ear as she whispered softly, "Nice basket. I'd check the inside though. Seems you left something in it."

Before Eleanor could inquire just what Marlene meant, the blonde sauntered away, swaying her hips ever so slightly. She turned her head, giving Eleanor a grin as her eyes lingered on Eleanor, watching as she reached into the basket.

There she found a slip of paper, the words etched neatly, on the thin white paper.

'Roof top, after lunch. Don't tell your mentor.

- 7'

Eleanor's mouth went a-gap ever so slightly, eyebrows furrowing ever so slightly. Of course, everything was so confusing. Why would some random tribute from 7 want to see her at the rooftop? It made no sense. As discreetly as she could, Eleanor folded the paper quietly, glancing Marlene's way. The girl seemed too busy chatting up District 5's girl, an oddly featured red haired girl with tightly coiled hair. She did the exact same thing, sauntering away before finally ending up at the ax station.

Odd.

This was all so very odd.

Sneaking past everyone proved to be a lot more difficult than Eleanor had anticipated and it was not because of the Peacekeepers. It seemed as though everyone was watching everyone's movement, though Eleanor managed to sneak past quickly. As much as she wanted to tell Mags about this meeting she had with the girl from 7, she knew better than to go against Marlene Woods' instructions.

As expected, she was met with the sight of Marlene Woods and a red haired girl, whom she did not know the name of. The red haired girl in question had a strikingly beautiful face that was pained in deep brown freckles, almost a flush to her skin. It was as though someone took a paint brush and splattered brown paint all over her.

It was beautiful. A beautiful art.

Her eyes were wide and green, almost fox like, her hair coiled and whole. It was tied back in a slick ponytail, something she clearly disliked from the way she seemed strained.

Marlene wore a shit faced grin as she crossed her arms at the girl. "Thought you'd be a lot less trusting, fish breathe."

Eleanor's eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly at the nickname, though she simply replied back. "I was curious."

"Curiosity did kill the cat."

It seemed as though the District 5 girl had enough and put an end to both of their remarks. "Guys, we don't have all night." She tapped her wrist as though to signify that time was fleeting and Eleanor had to agree. She wanted to know exactly what was happening and what it meant for Eleanor and also Kai. "Sage Crossley." She brought her hand out to shake Eleanor's.

"Eleanor Eves." Eleanor grabbed firmly onto Sage's hand. Sage had a tight grip, though her muscles felt odd and her hand spasmed uncontrollably. She tore her hand away quickly, her fox like green eyes immediately looking down with shame. Eleanor made a note of it, curious but aware that she needed to observe her opponents at any opportunity. She broke her hand away from Sage's, turning to face Marlene. "Now, why are we here?"

Marlene cockily grinned at Eleanor. The blonde haired girl tilted her head to the side, shaking her head ever so slightly. "I've decided to do what my drunk of a mentor won't do for me: gain me allies. I saw you training earlier. You know those nets like you were fucking bred in them."

Eleanor flushed at the remark, deciding to focus on something else instead of the lewd remark. "Your mentor?"

Marlene laughed at the face Eleanor pulled and the fact she simply pushed away responding to that specific comment. "Yes. Blight Jordan. It's unfortunate really, seems to believe I haven't got the guts to fucking rip apart people with axes like he did." Eleanor couldn't help cringe ever so slightly at the girl's nonchalance in the statement. It seemed odd to hear someone discuss murder so casually. Marlene continued. "So, I am making my own alliance. A secret alliance of some sort. I doubt any of the past 66 games have had a single secret alliance. Maybe an unexpected one, but definitely not a pre-planned alliance. We might as well have our fun since we're gonna all die anyways."

The plan itself seemed to cater towards sponsors in a way. This would, no doubt, attract the attention of many, including sponsors, especially them. Perhaps from the shock factor, or even just the fact they were daring to do this, Eleanor had no clue but maybe it would help. Sage and Marlene weren't from a career district like Eleanor. While she didn't volunteer, it seemed as though the men and women of the Capitol threw themselves at her feet as though she was and Eleanor Eves decided to utilise that power. Perhaps a secret alliance could push for more sponsors and therefore a higher chance of getting Kai to the end.

Eleanor just had a lot more to enquire about.

"So we go against our mentors and join some alliance without any info given to them?" Eleanor frowned massively, looking down at the mere idea of not telling Finnick such crucial information. Surely, she should tell him? He was her mentor? He was meant to know these things so he could help her the best he could.

Sage shook her head. "I'm in. My mentor's an addict, so if this is my only chance for a pre-planned alliance, then so be it." Sage frowned deeply. "My mentor won't even look at me without itching at her skin, I doubt she'd help me with this alliance." She rolled her eyes, though Eleanor got the clear image of her mother during a morphling withdrawal. The memories of nights where her mother would be up sobbing and breaking stuff all over the apartment made her skin crawl and Eleanor wanted nothing more than to sob. Sob for her mother, for herself, and for these kids. It made her feel sick, but she felt more sick realising that these kids were basically left to fend for themselves while her own best friend purposely favoured her over a little kid.

That was more sick than an addict.

Eleanor finally broke away from her thoughts. "This alliance... what happens if it's only us three left?"

If she went through with this, Eleanor doubted she'd be able to kill either Sage or Marlene. She doubted they'd be able to kill her either.

"What do you mean?" Marlene frowned, her cockiness almost flooding away. Her coy grin was replaced with a frown, her eyebrows furrowed together and her forehead was slightly crinkled as she thought just for a moment.

"If we all survive to the top three," Eleanor replied quickly, explaining further. "Will we sustain the alliance throughout the games?"

Marlene quickly shook her head. "No. The alliance will only last until we're in the last eight. After that we split and hope someone else finishes off the others."

Sage nodded, confirming the grim thought before turning to Eleanor. "You in Eleanor?"

"Only if Kai is." Eleanor knew that no matter what, Kai was always going to be included in every deal she ever made. She could be threatened with death but would still negotiate for Kai's survival. "If not, then I'm not in." She added, raising her hands upwards as though in defence.

"The kid? Small kid with those weird eyes?" Eleanor nodded. She could hear Marlene curse to herself ever so slightly before finally receiving the approval she desperately needed.

Maybe this would increase Kai's odds even more.

HEYYY SORRY THIS UPDATE IS A BIT LATER IN THE DAY

Basically I went to see barbie with my friends and then we went to spoons and got drunk and I am only just coming down from being drunk

oopsies

anyways

WE FINALLY MEET MARLENE AND SAGE. MY LOVES FR