I was just thinking about this fic yesterday before I slept, so imagine my delight when I woke up to found that it had updated! And ARRIUS. What an enjoyable character. There’s so much to talk about—from his dynamic with Magnus, which was intense and so much fun to read about—to his icy familial dynamics. Everything - from the beginning bits of training, climaxing in Magnus’s father’s murder, to volunteering - honestly flowed so well, like a pyramid layering pieces over each other until we got to the finale. Something so innocuous like training was already established in a dark light (“like how you shot your mother”) and ends up being imbued with a deeper meaning by the end (“to make my mother proud”). Arrius’s feelings about his mother was so well developed, and heartwrenching, too: the hairpin and that last sentence, which was absoluteely perfect. I can tell that time went into thinking about and writing it, and it was such a pleasure to read.

So many facets of Arrius can be felt; and I feel like he’ll have a lot of internal conflict about killing in the Arena, I bet, and it’ll be so interesting to see what happens there: especially after pretty much commiting parricide (and knowing it). He’ll bring us something interesting in the Games, that’s for sure, and I can’t wait to see how he’ll interact with the rest of the cast!

Ooh okay, Arrius slaps. Killed his dad, as you casually do. I like him, the fact he's quite reluctant makes me interested to see more of him! I do really love this story, and I'm so excited to see more. Don't worry about the upload speed, real life always comes first! -Times.

Dang a banger of a chapter man! Keep up the great work you're doing. -Times

Nova - I really enjoyed her chapter so much! I especially loved her interactions with Digit; like, they have such a friendly and sardonic banter-filled sibling-relationship that I enjoy because it reminds me of the type of relationship I'd like to have with my siblings, haha. I really like how you intertwined Nova's feelings about her father in with her description of her house... it really did hit so powerfully. It's just so AWFUL that Terra needs to see her children go like... ugh... stop hurting my heart like this omg. And I absolutely love your reference to Kore/Persephone - it just fit so much as a metaphor in context of the death of the Games as well! Nova's Reaping was so painful to witness... ugh I hate it so much, and her with Digit was a nice reprieve at the end, but it did still hurt.

Awesome writing! Can't wait for the next chapter.

Ohhhh my god, I love her so much. Her crush on Breanna hit very close to home, and the way she lashed out at the end was a brilliant display of her character. I'm excited to learn more about Ivo- her dynamic with Mia will be interesting since she's basically Miranda 2.0. You make writing seem so effortless and I am envious. I'll be devastated if/when she dies.

Wow! Another banger of an intro. I love the relationship between Mia and Breanna, and that could totally tie in interestingly later on. The fact that she pushed her away, in the end, is fascinating to me. It could totally play into some interesting regret storyline later. Also that hint of internalized homophobia could is fun, and I doubt Mia will like Remington very much. Overall great! I'm excited to see more. -Times.

! Aaaah omg MIA! I loved her POV so much! Your writing was honestly amazing — ESPECIALLY your dialogue which was gosh just brilliant. I loveeeed the interactions between Mia and Breanna — it was so snarky and absolutelyy so very Mia’s voice (which you’ve done so strongly throughout the entire chapter and I? cannot? Like everything about her dialogue and her dynamic with Breanna especially was perfect and beyond what I’ve imagined!) Also - the way you’ve described her contemptuous (well, not necessarily contemptuous but strained) relationship with her parents was amazing and if not very relatable haha; and I loved the minor details such as her grabbing a denim jacket (it just feels so very Mia haha). Her desire to win was powerfully shown and her ripping that girl’s scalp off... omg. And THAT ending... the fact that she’s okay throughout it all until Breanna’s there and she wants to immerse herself in the moment but she’s also terrified of herself was so angsty I can’t. :’) Gosh everything was so wonderful. I’m sorry if this was kinda rambly it’s 1am over here haha but I couldn’t wait to read the chapter. Thank you so much for writing!

This was a wonderful chapter! Remington was so much fun to read about; especially with his relationship with Dien, which was so adorable ugh ("uncomfortable with the gay thing" honeestlyyyy relate lmao). He's a little bit harsh with Morelle honestly though which doesn't reflect /too/ well back on him; but it should serve him well in the Games. His little breakdown at the end with Dien aah. :')

Thanks for writing!

I love him, kudos to timesphobic. He's realistic in how he ultimately looks out for himself and Dien and ignores the plight of his District partner, but he's still not some evil sadist. He's got a strong strategy, but I suppose I'll have to see how he is with survival and combat. Great job!

Ah its Remi time! I'm excited to see what you do with him. His relationship with Dien is 10/10, one of my favourite things. I think he could go far, and he (in my opinion) could be victor material. (might just be me hoping for a victor,, but,, I think he could pull it off.) Anyways! Great chapter grace!
-Times.

Wow, that backstory was a lot to process. I suppose it makes sense, but thinking about innocent Freya having to take part in that profession... I hope the four of them team up and stab Alfred. Delle is a sweetie, it'll be interesting to see how she deals with the Games. I can't see her snapping and becoming a cold killer, but I can see her taking a younger, weak tribute under her wing. I can also see her altruism being her downfall. Agh, the possibilities! Eagerly anticipating the next update!

I really liked this chapter! Seeing Delle's dynamic with her siblings were wonderful; and I could really feel the intricacies of their interactions, from how she treats/views Myriam to her adorable dynamic with Freya. It was especially painful to know about Underwood - and what he does to them/wanted to do to them was/is horrific, and you made me feel so bad for Myriam ugh. Delle is such a wonderful character, and it'll be really interesting to see how she'll interact with Underwood - especially with just... all of that baggage beforehand.

Thanks for writing!

Ooh Lindelle seems like a cool character. She seems really nice, maybe a little too nice, so I’m pegging her as a bloodbath, but what do I know? She also seems like the kind of character to have a bit of personality development, and I’m excited to see how she’ll get on with Vim.
:)

An interesting chapter! Lindell is gonna be fun eh? Great chapter tho!

Good first chapter, I'm excited to see what you do with Remington! This sure is going to be an interesting story.