Chapter Text
Focus - Voltaea
As she walks to breakfast with Alara’s arm wrapped around her waist, Voltaea Amprole feels like she’s already won the games. Her newfound focus - razor-sharp - she doesn’t feel fear about the things Alara gives her anymore. It’s like having a fresh set of batteries plugged into her every morning - full-power - the headaches are a small price to pay. Alara tells her she’ll adjust. She knows she will - she knows the advantage they give her is too great not to. The rapid reactions - no hesitation. Laser-focus, pure energy - it’s like being the best version of herself. She’d asked for them today - no doubt Alara would have offered anyway - but the pride on her mentor’s face when it was her suggestion? Priceless. I’d do anything to keep seeing that look.
Coulomb is already seated at the dining table when they walk in, occupying himself with a plateful of breakfast - chewing too loudly, I can hear him from here, ugh. Alara pulls out a chair - it shrieks across the tiles, not inviting . When she speaks, the siren-song of her voice eases Voltaea’s nerves “Orville! Stop flirting with the help and come serve breakfast! I want to talk sponsorships this morning.” Even her anger sounds like music.
She lets Alara guide her into the chair as Orville slides into one of his own next to Coulomb - it takes her a moment to process that the boy has broken the silence again, don’t talk and chew, it’s awful. She bites her tongue and tries to process what he’s actually saying - “Hey V, what’s our plan gonna be for training today? Should we stick together or do you think we should split up to cover more stations? I have a couple of ideas if you wanna hear them.“ Tap-tap-tap-tap - her fingertips start to create their own rhythm against the table without her input - helps the focus .
“First, tell me what you saw at the parade - I want to know what we’re up against.” It’s all she’s wanted to ask him since last night, planning can wait.
He takes a second to swallow the bread he’s been chewing on - thank the gods - before he speaks again - “Well, I didn’t catch everything they were saying - two of them had their backs to me - but they’re definitely making an early alliance. I saw one of the twins say they wanted to start teaming up with as many Outer District kids as they could, like a counter-alliance to the careers, and I thought ‘hey, maybe I should ask them to team up with us-’”
“No!” Voltaea is louder than she intended to be - Coulomb recoils slightly - she softens herself, taking a deep breath before she speaks again - “I just mean, looking at past games - it’s not a good idea to put your trust in too many people, Coulomb. Look at how many alliances fall apart because one person decided their life matters more than whatever goal they started with.” The boy nods, but looks skeptical . “Look, I’m okay with us picking up a couple of allies, if we vet them first - but if these two are doing this to go against the Careers, I don’t want to paint a bigger target on our backs.” The Capitol has already started editing all the footage they’re in, they’ve made someone angry. We can’t afford to make powerful people angry if I’m going to win. She leaves that part out - better not to worry him, he’s sensitive, don’t let him open us up to weakness.
There’s another shriek of metal-on-tile as Alara pulls out the chair next to her and sits - she wraps her claw-tipped hand over Voltaea’s upper thigh under the table, giving it a quick squeeze that makes her whole body ignite again. “As your mentor -” It's the first time she’s heard her address Coulomb directly - the way Alara says the word mentor seems like it pains her. “I’m inclined to agree. One rotten apple spoils the whole bunch - you can’t afford to be too trusting.” Alara turns to her and gives her a knowing smirk - she’s making sure he listens to me - before shifting her attention back to the boy. “I have two suggestions for you. First - don’t draw too much attention to yourself. You’re small and weak - if you don’t give people a reason to focus on you, you can slip under the radar while they go after more obvious targets. It’s to your advantage to be invisible . Second - utilize your partner.” Alara gives her leg another squeeze when she says this, for emphasis - I can make him useful, somehow. “I’m sure she can show you all kinds of useful tricks during training that’ll help you both once the fighting starts.”
Coulomb takes another huge bite of some pastry on his plate - Voltaea has to dig her nails into her scar to silence the urge to scream when he talks through chewing again - “Okay, so we’re gonna work as a team then! Cool! What should we focus on first?”
“ Don’t talk with your mouth full, it’s rude -” Alara snaps at him and he claps a hand over his mouth. “- but I’m glad you asked, this goes for the both of you. You’ll want to focus on the areas you’re weak in for the first day - finding food, filtering water, first aid, maybe a basic weapon skill or two…”
Breakfast becomes a blur of strategizing and conversation. Voltaea hangs on every word Alara says - trying to pick up any double meanings she can discern from her talk with Coulomb. He seems happy to have access to their mentor at all now and plies her with question after question. Survival first, then weapons, keep an eye on the others, small alliances - or none at all, look for clues to the arena, play the sponsors, put on a show, don’t reveal our secrets to the competition. It’s mostly things she’s thought of before, when she imagined how training would go when she was chosen. It’s the hidden implications - the one’s she’s certain Alara is trying to communicate to her with those tactical squeezes and sideways glances - that catch her interest. Make Coulomb useful, make sure he trusts you completely, separate yourselves from the pack, find your moment - he can be your secret weapon, he’s going to die anyway it may as well be for your benef… Shit, what’s wrong with me? Her chest tightens, stomach churning - I shouldn’t be thinking like this, it's cruel.
Alara seems to sense her tension - she digs her nails into Voltaea’s thigh so hard she nearly gasps. “Voltaea, darling, you need to eat something. Here -” Alara heaps some kind of casserole onto her plate, looking at her expectantly. She takes a huge bite in the hopes of appeasing her “- Good girl.” Her face burns as Alara releases her iron grip on her thigh. “Now, where was I going with this… oh yes! Orville, let’s go over your itinerary -”
Orville - she’d nearly forgotten he was here and he looks just as surprised to be addressed. It takes him a moment to get his bearings before he starts chirping away about his schedule of sponsor meetings. Voltaea starts chewing louder just to drown out the sound of his awful accent - it’s too much this morning . She shifts her gaze towards Coulomb who’s trying to stuff down another helping of food while he listens. Her heartbeat pounds in her ears - static rising to meet it - I don’t want to kill him. She shoves aside the feeling of guilt that grows in her gut, steeling herself for what has to happen if she’s going to make it out alive. But he’s going to have to die somehow. The realization doesn’t make it any less upsetting.
Voltaea eats quietly for the rest of the meal, nodding along with Coulomb’s attempts at small talk - her mind buzzes too loudly to really follow what he’s saying. After they finish with breakfast, Alara is the first to stand up - “Voltaea, come with me for a moment. Orville, you can take the boy downstairs before you head to your first meeting.” she turns to Coulomb, flashing him a charm-soaked smile “Don’t worry, I’ll have her down there with you before you know it.” She grabs Voltaea’s hand and pulls her up from the chair. Coulomb gives them a small wave as she practically drags her back down the hallway towards her private suite.
As the door whirs shut behind them, Alara turns to her with a huge grin on her face - “I think that little strategy session went well! The boy seems like he’ll listen to reason now, at least.”
“You want me to use him.” Voltaea’s voice is shaky, she clenches her fists together “That’s why you jumped in, so he’d trust my judgement.”
Alara reaches up to caress the side of her face - “Of course, darling.” Voltaea frowns at her “Why the pouting? You were the one who suggested an alliance with the boy - the least I could do is make sure he’s pliable for you.”
“I didn’t think you’d suggest I hurt him! I meant we should work together - not that I should use him as some kind of weapon!” She yells louder than she’d intended again, pulling back from Alara’s touch - “I’ll never live it down if I do - my sister would hate me - I don’t wan-”
Alara cuts her off “I suggested nothing of the sort! My only intent was to help you gain his trust.” But you did! I know you did! She cocks her head to the side, eyes narrowing - “Darling, where are you getting this idea from?”
She can barely hear her own thoughts through the static now - “I… you kept grabbing me! And shooting me these looks! I just thought, you know… you were trying to tell me something?” Did I imagine that?
Alara’s face is unreadable, but when she speaks again, it’s soft - slow - melodic - “You need to breathe.” Voltaea takes a deep breath. “Good. Look down at yourself for me, would you?” She does - her whole body is shaking, she hadn’t realized how noticeable it was. Alara tilts her chin back up to look at her. “What I was trying to tell you - that you seem to have misinterpreted - is that you’re over-strung. That’s why I had to get you to eat something to take the edge off.”
Voltaea slams her eyes shut, mind reeling, heart th-thumping into her throat - “That can't be right, that means that I -” she trails off.
Alara jumps in to say what she can’t bring herself to, “-That you came up with that idea all on your own, yes.” She feels Alara wrap her arms around her neck, linking her fingers together at the nape. “Open your eyes -” her voice is still soft, brow furrowed with concern. “-I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, my sweet. But if you find some brilliant use out there for the boy - don’t let fear get in the way of that. Your sister told you to live, right?” Voltaea nods “Then she’ll understand - you just do what you have to do.” Alara looks her over - “You’re still shaking, I think I might have stepped up your dosage too much this morning. My bad. Here - I’ll take the patch off…” Alara reaches a hand down the back of her shirt but Voltaea lurches backward before she can remove it.
“Don’t!” Alara releases her as soon as she yells, raising both hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I’m so- no apologizing. I mean. I’ll get used to it. Just let me adjust.” She breathes deeply through her nose as she tilts her head back - focusing all of her energy on not moving as she does. When she exhales, she looks back down at herself - less shaky, at least - “There, see - I can calm down all on my own.”
Alara narrows her eyes, scrutinizing - “Just promise me you’ll let me know if you have any other undesirable side effects, alright darling?”
“I promise. But I really do feel great! Apart from, you know…” she trails off again, suddenly self-conscious.
“The thoughts of murder?” Voltaea flinches at the word ‘murder’, averting her eyes. Alara laughs - she claps a hand on her shoulder - her tone is teasing - “I didn’t mean to offend, darling. I mean - you told me on our first night together how you keep entire books full of ways to kill your fellow tributes - it’s not exactly a new phenomenon for you, is it?” Shit… is that what my notes come off as? Am I crazy? “Don’t get all ashamed on me now - it’s an advantage! Most of your competition won’t have the stomach for real artistry - you seem to come by it naturally - like I did.” She thinks I’m an artist?
“There’s that smile!” Voltaea hadn’t realized she was smiling, but she can feel it in her cheeks when Alara points it out. “Now, we should probably get you downstairs. I can’t come onto the training floor with you, but I’ll be watching you - I know you’ll make me proud.” Alara stands on her toes to plant a kiss on her forehead. She towards the door - “Follow me, I’ll drop you off before I go to the mentor’s lounge”. That’s it?
Wait. No hesitating - Voltaea cups Alara’s face in her hands turning her back and pulling her into a real kiss - pouring every pent up bit of energy she has into it. She lets her tongue lightly trace the outline of Alara’s lips until they open just for her . Before it goes further, she pulls back, taking a moment to relish in the huge grin she gets in response. I did better this time. “Okay. Now we can go.” She smiles back, feeling a little smug about her success in catching Alara off-guard.
They head out, down the hall towards the elevator. This time Voltaea takes the lead - brimming with confidence. Alara’s heels click against the tile floors behind her, she feels the thumping in her throat fall into rhythm with the sound - “Any last questions before you meet the others, darling?”
“Nope.” For once, her mind is clear of confusion - today is her day to shine. They step into the elevator together, Alara pushes two buttons in quick succession and the doors clasp shut behind them.
As soon as they close, Alara pushes her up against the corner of the elevator and lays another kiss on her. What is she doing? The walls are glass! Someone will see! - all that she manages to squeeze out against Alara’s lips is “Mhgmghh!”
She pulls back, smirking - “What was that, darling? I didn’t quite catch it.”
“I - shit -” She closes her eyes as the elevator lurches into motion. “-why did you do that?”
Alara shrugs, “I like to have the last word on these things. Besides, you enjoyed yourself - it’s all over your face.”
She feels the heat in her cheeks - me and my traitor of a face - “I mean, yeah, but…” She gestures at the glass walls around them, floor after floor rushing by in quick succession “you know… privacy?”
“Like I told you on the train - there’s no such thing in the Capitol.” The elevator lurches to a stop and Alara takes a step backward as the doors fly open - “Here we are! Enjoy yourself Voltaea -” She steps to the side, motioning Voltaea past her “- and don’t torch anyone while I’m away!” Before she can think of a retort, the doors have already shut behind her, carrying Alara off to wherever she’s going and leaving her among the other tributes in the training hall.
She’s stunned by the sheer size of the place - it must take up at least two full stories of the tribute tower. It’s quieter than she expected, scattered clanging noises like metal striking metal, soft chattering - there’s a low hum from the fluorescent lights above her. It’s more sterile here than the rest of the Capitol has been. Almost peaceful. Suddenly, she hears a sharp chorus of laughter and her eyes are immediately drawn to a balcony near the top of the room where a group of oddly-dressed people sit talking among themselves, clinking wine glasses together and largely ignoring the tributes below. Gamemakers . A nearby wall seems to have been converted into a climbing structure - not that this was a skill she’d need to practice - but it comforts her nonetheless that she could if she wanted to. And I could use it to show off later. Marcelus is sparring with the boy from Four, Mako, using training swords at one of the stations on the far end while their District partners chat nearby, waiting for their own turn. They don’t notice her arrival yet - good - she scans the room looking for Coulomb.
She doesn’t have a chance to find him on her own before another familiar-sounding voice booms out across the gym floor - drawing half the eyes in the room towards her and destroying any chance she had at blending in - “Look who decided to show up!” She whirls around to see Sarah from Seven waving at her. She’s sitting cross-legged on the floor with the boy from her District and Coulomb with a pile of paper and wood scraps in the middle of them. He waves to her as well - she doesn’t move. Are they practicing fires? I guess he took the survival skills to heart but he seems to have missed the ‘don’t make allies without vetting them’ part of that talk. Though if I had to choose a team with just what I know so far… “Hey, Sparky! Quit spacing out and come over here!”
Voltaea walks over to the group, plopping down on the floor in the empty space next to Coulomb. He pokes at her side - “Check this out, they taught me how to make sparks with rocks -” he scrapes a piece of rock and metal together a few times until sparks fly out of them, igniting the small pile of wood in front of them while the trainer looks on from the sidelines. She gives him a thumbs up and a small smile, but her mind is elsewhere.
She turns back to Sarah - “So were you trying to draw the attention of everyone in the room, or are you always this loud?”
Sarah laughs loud enough to make her ears fill with static - “Oh, the second one for sure. I work on a lumber crew - you kinda have to be if you want anyone to hear you over the sound of chainsaws.” The large girl elbows her in the side - it seems playful - but she’s strong enough that Voltaea has to catch herself from tipping over. “Besides - you did a pretty good job last night of getting everyone's attention without my help.” she can’t help but smile at that.
Be casual - people like casual. Voltaea shrugs - “He seems to think he’s the hottest thing in Panem, I was just helping him achieve that dream.”
This earns her another ear-splitting laugh - “I like you Sparky, you’re weird.” I’ll take weird, I guess. Not sure about Sparky though.
She tries to correct her - “You know my name’s Voltaea, right?”
“Yeah, but Sparky’s more fun. You seem like you need some fun in your life. You’re all twitchy and shit, I thought it’d loosen you up a little.” Am I still twitchy? She looks down to confirm that yes, she’s still shaking a bit at the extremities. Sarah drops her voice to a whisper - somehow still louder than it should be - “Look, I’ll be straight with you. I asked my mentor if he’d talk to yours about an alliance last night, but he said it had to come from your District. Said he was ‘too nervous’ to ask yours for any favors - I guess she has a reputation.” she nods towards Coulomb. “Your buddy here says he’s too nervous to ask her too, so I guess it falls to you to decide.” Voltaea digs her nails into her scar in an attempt to stop the blush that creeps into her face at the mention of Alara. She’s not that scary, is she? She was nice to him this morning at least.
Don’t think about that now. Stay on topic. “Why us?” She eyes Sarah for a reaction - “I mean, you don’t know anything about our skill sets, and there’s other alliances forming besides the careers -” She points towards the first aid station, where the twins from Eight are sitting with the tributes from Eleven and Nine - they seem to have added the girl from Twelve as well since last night.
Sarah sighs - “Yeah, no offense, but none of those kids strike me as ready for action - you’ve already proven you are. And your buddy here has spent the last twenty minutes talking about nothing but how smart he thinks you are - all while figuring out how to start a fire in a shorter time than it took either of us to. You guys bring the brainpower. As for us…” She makes a show of flexing her arms - Voltaea averts her eyes, suddenly flustered - shit - “I can swing an axe pretty good - and Bashir is the sneakiest little shit I’ve ever met in my life. We’d have a good balance if we teamed up.” Voltaea turns to look at Bashir but he’s… gone?! When did he get up? How did I miss that? She feels Sarah tap her on the shoulder, pointing towards the climbing structure where she sees Bashir has already made it half-way up. “See what I mean about sneaky? Climbs like a squirrel too. Gets bored easily though - Blight’s had a hell of a time keeping track of him since we got here. Choice is yours, though. If you don’t want us, we’ll leave you be - at least ‘till I have to kill you.”
Voltaea weighs her options. On the one hand - She’s capable, has a weapon skill, her partner isn’t dead weight, she’s funny, she hates Marcelus as much as I do, Coulomb seems to trust her, she’s strong, I like talking to her, and she’s been my ally pick since day one. On the other hand - She’s loud, and Alara said she can’t be trusted. But why? She seems straightforward. I mean… she must have a good reason. But there’s more pros than cons here - she’ll have to understand my decision.
Voltaea reaches out a hand - “Allies, then?”
Sarah grabs ahold of her hand, shaking it with enough strength that Voltaea worries she might break her fingers if she shifts the wrong way - “Allies.” She turns to Coulomb, shaking his hand a little more gently - “And you too, little man.” She throws back her head and lets out that loud whoop -ing noise Voltaea has seen her make a few times now - no one seems phased - she must do this a lot . “Alright, now that it’s official, can you tell us about that secret talent you mentioned?” She looks at Coulomb when she says it - Voltaea is utterly confused.
“Coulomb - what’s she talking about?” Voltaea turns to look at him as well, frowning. “And if it’s a secret, why are you telling people about it?” he shifts uncomfortably - averting his eyes and fiddling with the rocks in his hand.
It takes the boy a minute to find his voice again - “Um… I was gonna wait till today to tell you but… well… I’m sorry, V. I got excited, and I really wanted this team to work! It just slipped out… are you mad?” Only a little, but we have to work on your big mouth. She shakes her head at him, better not to let the frustration show. “Phew. Okay. So I’ve been practicing this with Mr. Orville. I’ve had to make some changes so we can do it over a long distance, but I think it’ll come in handy…”