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Post by Kulvar on Apr 5, 2012 22:25:57 GMT -5
Jasmine Coverfield, District 11 Female[/b]
Okay. Yes she was scared. She didn't want to die. She didn't want to die painfully. Nomad had died painfully. She frowned, outwardly as his death replayed in her mind. She looked at Rory as she spoke, then shrugged, shook her head, all to clear the image out before returning her gaze and a smile, though it was clearly forced, to Femra.
"Yeah, I'm scared. I don't really wanna die. Gotta family, an'..." She pauses for a moment. How open should she be? Would Femra recognize Jasmine as being the sister of Nomad who'd died just a couple years prior. "We lost my brother to the 23rd Games. Yeah, I'm scared but," and she put a smile on for emphasis, "smiling helps. Try it..."
She stops for a moment, her own smile faltering as she reflected on the past games. Sure it distracted her from the moment, and her own looming peril, but...
She looked up as Femra spoke again and forced another smile onto her pretty face. She let out a calming breath, as she'd done plenty of times before swinging through a particularly tall tree, "Nah. Just figured I'd come over here and scope out the people who might be willin' to not kill us on the first day. Think we might be able to work somethin' out so we might be able tuh make sure one of us wins this thing rather than th'careers?"
While she was looking at Femra while saying it, her question was directed at everyone remaining at the table. She wanted allies. She wanted to live for her brother's memory rather than die, but... if she did go down, she wanted it to be after the careers were taken care of. If she did go down, she'd want it to be to someone like Femra. "So... Allies, what's the pricetag of being an ally with y'all?"
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Apr 6, 2012 10:02:44 GMT -5
Jace Colton
"Pulling your weight, not backstabbing anyone else, and being able to accept the fact that Rory and I are on Silver and his posse's 'To Kill First' list, most likely."
He pushed his plate away, looking at everyone sitting at the table. There were so many of them now, and it looked like the Careers were going to have to get over themselves and maybe try and seduce a non-Career or three to their side.
Being trained to do this was all well and good, but when the entire field--pretty much--was gunning to take you out first, and was willing to team up and 'truce' to get it done?
You had a problem, and if Silver and the rest of them couldn't recognize that, then they were dumber than Jace originally thought.
There's a long look at the Career table, and then a look around the room. He knew his plan when the Careers were wiped out. He'd take a little less than his share of the food and leave the group. Maybe take one or two of the others with him to watch his back for a bit.
But he wouldn't be killing people who he teamed up with. Not unless they came after him with that intent.
Of course, for this all to work they'd have to see how many made it out of the Blood Bath and into whatever safe place was available for them all.
After this lunch? IT was time to figure out, once and for all, how to make the Capitol Citizens like him enough to want to see him win. Time to turn on the charm--maybe borrow a bit of Jan's if he could manage--and be what they want him to be.
It was getting to be time to start putting on a show.
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Post by seanman1224 on Apr 6, 2012 10:50:37 GMT -5
Femra District 8 Female:
At this very moment, I realized how distraught Jasmine's family had been when her name was called. They already lost one relative... I can't imagine. Remembering what Jasmine had said about her brother and the 23rd HG. I thought back to the annual Hunger Games and district 11...I remember the man. I don't remember the name. He died brutally though, and, for the sake of her life and the family, I hope she doesn't die and if she dies let it be painless.
I glanced over at the Career table and saw Silver, glaring back at the table with fury in his eyes. I'm pretty sure he was staring at Jace and Rory though, because the minute he saw me staring back, he turned his head in disgust...like I was worthy enough to look at his "beautiful" face.
I chuckled under my breath. What a joke he was. Wouldn't it be great if I could just kill him? Show Panem what little girls from District 8 could do?
I nodded in agreement when Jace answered Jasmine's question. Then, out of the blue, I remembered Elena and Joel. I hope they're alright.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Apr 6, 2012 10:59:06 GMT -5
"As for 'having family': We all do. That's what makes this whole thing....just downright cruel. I have five brothers and sisters. Five. One of them..." They had to know. They'd seen the Reapings. That one of his brothers wouldn't let him go until Peacekeepers were pulling him back. He was a little bigger--about Silver's broadness if not his height--with those same staggering blue eyes as Jace.
"...We all have family. And friends." There's a flickering look at where Micha was seated. Tobias didn't have anyone else in the world.
"If I can't win and go home? I don't want one of them to." Those pretty blue eyes flicker to the Careers.
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Apr 6, 2012 11:32:30 GMT -5
Tank looked at the hand on his arm, up into Rory's sincere face and gave her a smile.
"Okay. I'll go train now."
With that, the gentle giant left the lunch hall and headed back to the main training room.
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Post by Seryna on Apr 6, 2012 11:43:22 GMT -5
Glancing around the room revealed that Pearl and Rachel, the district 4 tributes, were whispering animatedly to themselves. The other district 4 tribute, Lallek, was sitting by himself. The District 9 tributes Micha and Abigail were siting beside each other, eating in silence. The district 3 tributes suddenly stood and moved over to where the district 10 and district 11 tributes were sitting.
Bay, the district 3 female, was whispering animatedly. Sorrel, a girl Jace had seen briefly in the training room, turned and glanced at him before turning her attention back to Bay. Sorrel gestured to the table and Bay and her two partners took a seat. Was another alliance forming?
"I'll go talk to district 4." Rowan stated. "See if they'll come over."
Rowan stood and took a seat with Pearl and Rachel. The girls conversed for a few moments, but did not immediately join the table of Femra, Jasmine, Jace, Luci and Rory.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 6, 2012 11:43:33 GMT -5
Rory Noland: District 7 Female Tribute
Rory nods and watches Tank leave. She tucks a few loose strains of hair behind her ear and looks around the room. They are children. Even Silver. Though Rory isn't planning to let him be allowed back into the wild, she still feels pity for him... for everyone. She scans the room again looking for... well... she doesn't quite know yet.
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Post by mrbrightside on Apr 6, 2012 12:32:33 GMT -5
As Lallek eats his food he watches District 7 pull together an ever growing alliance. It seemed like the kids were flocking to each other the longer lunch progressed. By the time the big one had left, Lallek was more than a little impressed by just how friendly they were acting towards one another. It was moving for him to see the small group form up.
Then Rowan went to speak with the other District 4s.
Lallek was suddenly reminded of the harsh fact of this game. An alliance that big would eventually fall apart. They couldn't all live happily ever after. In fact only one of them could survive. Why he wondered would they bother getting so attached to one another when it would only make the game harder later?
He shakes his head. What were they doing to themselves?
Maybe that was just because of what had happened with Pearl though. He wasn't sold on the alliance by any means, but for a moment he wished that he had been half as warm with his own teammates.
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grrbot
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Post by grrbot on Apr 6, 2012 15:03:18 GMT -5
Klo scanned the room. Silver barking orders at the peace keepers to get some hash browns. The non careers from the poorer districts were all socializing. Silver and the boy from 2 looked like they had enough to handle and didn't need a pack this year. Well maybe I'll make my own pack.
I strided towards a young girl. Riley? Rayna? Rory! Watching the reapings, I hadn't bothered remembering the tributes from the poorer districts. I surprised her by tapping her on the shoulder. I bit my lip and let out a shaky breath. I waited for her to say something. The words were clearly marked on her lips. She didn't want to talk to me. I felt hurt and insulted. "Fine then..." I whispered. I clutched myself and turned away. I went to sit alone. Far from anyone else.
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Post by Kulvar on Apr 6, 2012 16:57:33 GMT -5
Jasmine Coverfield, District 11 Female
Jasmine nodded to Jace's comments. They were true. They all had families. She certainly wasn't about to deny that. And she vaguely remembered his reaping and a brother clinging to him. The day had been such a blur that she didn't remember much of it clearly.
She could definitely agree on his last statement. She didn't want a career to win it. It seemed unfair for them to win, given they trained for the games and frequently volunteered. She frowned at the far table of them before looking back to Jace. His terms were more than agreeable to her and it suddenly occurred to her... Maybe she could propose something to help cement the alliance together at the beginning.
"I've got nothin' against that. We've all got families, an' if y'all let me into your little agreement here you won't have to worry about any backstabbing from me. I don't want to see the careers win either. It just doesn't seem fair." She paused, watching Jace and Femra for a short moment. "I'm aware that only one of us gets to come out... I don't know if it's possible, but... can I add somethin' to the agreement we're formin' up here? I know in District 11, the payment fer winnin' a Games is way more than anyone ever needs... if it's the same for y'all, maybe we could help each other's families out after th'end? You know... whoever wins."
She waited for their reactions.
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Post by seanman1224 on Apr 7, 2012 9:49:22 GMT -5
Femra: District 8 Female
"If you win in my district..." Femra stated "you are able to live in Victor's Village and are basically set for life."
I figured that if you win in any district, you are set for life and live in Victor's Village. But, who knows.
Then Jasmine said the greatest idea, but an impossible one.
"Jasmine, I love that idea. But, won't it be kind of hard? It's not like we can just move our families to the winning district. I love the idea, but could you give me more detail on how we could help the losing families?" I said with a genuine smile.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Apr 7, 2012 11:46:40 GMT -5
Jace Colton[/u]
That was a tempting offer. Too tempting. Five brothers and sisters and parents. Family galore back home, and all of them hungry....
"Will they even let us do that? I know that you're given enough money that you and your family never go hungry again, but do they let you just...help others?" Because that would be a deal maker, for Jace. Even if he lost, his family would be alright for at least a little while?
"I know that the Victors go on a kind of 'tour' after they win. All I'd want--honestly--is that if you win, you take my ma's dragonfly back to her when you go on your tour. Or somehow get it back to her, you know?" Most probably wouldn't notice it, but now that he says it, the pretty and tiny metal pin is affixed to the collar of his training uniform.
His District Item. To remind him of home.
"But I'd appreciate anything anyone would be able to give to my family. If I don't make it, that is. Maybe tell my brother--my twin--to remember what he promised me, but otherwise...."
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Post by Kulvar on Apr 7, 2012 13:39:12 GMT -5
Jasmine Coverfield, District 11 Female[/b]
Jasmine opened her mouth to immediately say she would. And she would if she were allowed. She knew that she do so in a heartbeat. She also knew that might undermine the Capital and therefore wouldn't be allowed. She frowned a second time, looking at Jace as he spoke. She let her eyes be drawn to the pin on his lapel.
She looked back to Femra, choosing to answer her question first. "No, I dunno. I don't have details unfortunately. It... It was just an idea that just jumped into my mind."
She looked back to Jace. "They prolly won't. I mean, we could try though. I can promise I would try. I don't like to make promises that I can't keep. You know? Call it southern pride er whatever."
She suddenly thrust out her hand toward Jace in an offering to shake. "I can't promise to take care of them for you if I win... But I will promise to try and promise to see if I can get your pin back and pass word to your family... I have a request as well though. If you, any of y'all, are the one to..." she paused, swallowed. She meant kill her, but the words caught in her throat and she squeaked out instead, "end me," before continuing a little stronger, "make it quick. As quick as possible, that is... It was hard for us to watch my brother cut apart piece by piece. So, quick... If we're the only ones left, please make it quick."
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 7, 2012 13:52:00 GMT -5
Rory Noland: District 7 Female Tribute
Rory counts at least 3 other alliances besides her own. But hers is by far the biggest. Which would make them an easy target. Especially for the Career Alliance. Rory knows that she's going to see a lot of people die in the next few weeks. People that she'll grow to care about. Some of them will die in her arms. Some will be blown up, or eaten by a shark... And perhaps she'll be among them. If she isn't Rory would have failed her mission.
She glances at Rowan and then back to her table as she rejoins her people. She catches the last the last bit of Jasmine's plea.
"We should cross that bridge when we get to it," Rory says, her hand going to the pendent around her neck on a small metal chain, without thinking. "For now, let's promise that if any of us win, we give our families back their district items."
Rory puts her hand on Jasmine's and smiles. Though the smile is friendly, the sadness in Rory's gaze indicates that she has already promised herself to do as Jasmine requested... if it ever comes down to it. Rory prays silently that it doesn't.
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grrbot
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Post by grrbot on Apr 7, 2012 14:01:32 GMT -5
Klo decided to not mope around and focus on her game plan. Thats it! She wouldn't be with those stupid arrogant careers even if Silver was from my district. I also didn't want to be with the poorer districts, they already had enough people. Maybe when they were sleeping I would pick them off one by one. But I did need some supplies... Maybe I would pretend to be a career and I could get my supplies and kill them when they were sleeping and run off. Let the poorer districts kill themselves off. Or the game makers could set something up... This was starting to confuse her. She felt lonely and no one wanted to talk to her. She would probably die and never see her parents ever again. She started whispering prayers like a lunatic when she noticed the peace keepers staring. She stopped and glared with her teeth clenched.
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Post by seanman1224 on Apr 7, 2012 14:17:27 GMT -5
Femra: District 8 Female
I started to cry. Silent cry, so no one heard. Jace and Jasmine...they have lives. I never thought of it like this before. We all have lives. Why are we even here? We're humans too. All these questions bombarded my mind.
"Jace.." I started off quietly "if I win, I will do everything you asked. And Jasmine. If that time comes, where it's just you and me, it won't be you dying." I said with a faint smile.
"And if I die...I ask that you make sure that my brother does not leave my parents to fend for themselves." I didn't know how they would take it that my brother would be like that, but I hope they follow through.
"And if it is one of you killing me, make it painless. Please." I said, basically imploring them to abide. I hated this talk. No one should be having this talk with anyone. Not there friends, allies, enemies, family, no one. I don't understand why the world has to come to this. A hundred years ago, the world seemed fine. Why did it have to change?
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Post by Kulvar on Apr 7, 2012 15:51:19 GMT -5
Jasmine Coverfield, District 11 Female[/b]
Jasmine smiled again, though it was far from happy. She suddenly didn't want to kill anyone she'd spoken to at the table. And Femra's admission that if the Games came down to just the two of them, it'd be Jasmine walking away. She fought to keep herself from suddenly crying. Instead, she kept the smile on her face and nodded. She didn't trust herself to speak for a moment and instead absorbed herself with looking around the room, looking at other alliances forming up, and the tributes starkly by themselves. When she brought her gaze back to the table she sat at and the tributes who would be her allies within the Arena, she'd fought the sensation of crying down into her stomach.
"I promise to do everything y'all asked. Try, at least," Jasmine said. She meant it too. She kept the sad smile on her face, taking a moment to pat Rory's hand as well, then moving her hand to touch Femra's. She suddenly felt closer to those sitting by her than she had to her own district partner. She noddles. "Thanks, y'all. Really, thanks."
She drew her hands back, brought them to her collar and turned it out to reveal a golden clasp in the shape of a sheaf wheat. Her family hadn't always gone climbing through the orchard trees. "So, what is the plan then? I mean, I assume we are in agreement that we're inna alliance, right?"
She felt a little better bringing up strategy. Talking about killing people she was coming to like... it just wasn't sitting well with her. And she'd known them for so short a time, the next couple weeks weren't going to be easy at all.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Apr 7, 2012 16:56:30 GMT -5
Jace Colton
In another life, they might all have been friends. As it stood, right now they were 'allies'. Which meant they worked to take care of each other until their goal was met. Once it was, Jace knew that he'd leave. Either in the dead of night, or one moment he'd be walking at the back of the pack, and the next he'd be gone.
It was just easier that way. He'd stay away unless it came down to him and someone else, and then he'd be fighting to get home in a way that no one--including those back in District 9--would ever expect of him.
'Quiet, gentle Jace Colton' was going to be downright deadly, and after this he wouldn't be seen as 'quiet' and 'gentle' anymore.
You can never go home again.
"The Careers always take the Cornicopia. We can use that to our advantage. They don't know hunger the way the rest of us do so their first priority will be getting control of the food. I vote that we don't even attempt it. Attempt to grab your bag--whatever you can grab--and run for whatever safety you can see. Then we all meet someplace...north. At that point, we pull together and truce until the Careers are no longer a threat. However we manage to make it so they aren't is up in the air."
He looked to the others sitting at the table. In a few short weeks, he'd be in an Arena trying to kill or out-survive them. Right now though? He wanted to have the illusion of friendship. The illusion that he wasn't completely alone and fighting to survive a game that no one can win.
No one wins. Even if they do. Because living with all that blood on your hands can't be easy. It just can't.
"All I ask for, if you manage to best me, is a quick death. I don't need my parents see me spending my last moments as hours."
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grrbot
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Post by grrbot on Apr 7, 2012 17:14:36 GMT -5
Klo was just passing by when she heard Jace. Having no friends would be easy to kill the others later in the arena. "Don't worry Colton, I'll make your death quick and terrible." Klo laughed. Everyone looked at Klo with their mouths open. "Oh stop that. It's easier to have no friends then alliances. I'll start with you," she pointed at jace, "then you," she turned to femra, "and soon and so on." she smiled. She pulled out a knife and everyone gasped, the peace keepers rushed over but Klo wasn't going to hurt them. Klo stuck the knife in the table and whispered, "that's mahogany." before leaving the shocked tributes at their table.
Klo felt like she made her point. She didn't need no stupid alliance.
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Post by mrbrightside on Apr 7, 2012 18:26:38 GMT -5
As the crazy District 1 left the cafeteria Lallek shot a look to Jace as if to gauge his reaction to Klo's comment. Was he the kind of person who cracked under pressure. A career promising to kill you was certainly pressure.
He should have broken eye contact, but instead Lallek just stares at Jace. His mismatched eyes are alight with an intense curiosity and he cocks his head to the side. Jace hadn't spoken the way the other tributes had. He seemed to understand the gravity of this situation and if he hadn't Klo certainly made it clear. Lallek continues to gaze, waiting to see Jace's reaction.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Apr 7, 2012 19:00:12 GMT -5
"I think she'll have to beat Silver to the punch." Yes. It was scary. At the same time it was predictable. The Careers always went for the kill.
And what Jace lacked in 'strength' and 'talent', he more than made up for in speed.
"Not really shocked though, when they breed their kids to be good at only killing and dying. Must be a sad, sad life."
Scared? Yes.
Doormat? Never.
"Assuming they win, of course. And then what happens after they go home? What are they worth? Because all they're good for is killing and dying, and they did a lot of the first and none of the second.
"Failing at half of your life's purpose? Sad."
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Post by seanman1224 on Apr 7, 2012 20:20:18 GMT -5
Femra: District 8 Female
I nodded in agreement to Jace's plan, but then Klo came walking by. She made her threats. The damage was done.
"She meant it...I..." I was speechless.
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Post by Seryna on Apr 7, 2012 21:47:15 GMT -5
Klo found herself escorted from the cafeteria by four Peace Keepers; who escorted her back to her apartment. She was informed that they would guide her back to training afterwards and that she was not to take any weapons any where near another tribute. There was no leeway. What would happen if she did, one wonders...
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Post by mrbrightside on Apr 7, 2012 22:34:02 GMT -5
A silent chuckle escapes Lallek's mouth, though only the physical motion is detectable. Jace seemed to understand the Games. It was a tragedy that they existed, and perhaps an even greater tragedy that kids their age could understand it. Regardless, Lallek respected his honesty in the assessment of the situation.
There is still a sadness that lingers over his mood. A draw that comes from the reminder that all their lives were rapidly approaching an end. How hard it was to appreciate anything when death was marching towards them.
To shake the thought from his mind, Lallek rises from his table and approaches Jace. His body language is relaxed and he keeps his hands at his sides, the palms facing Jace. He ignores the others at the table. They were still coping with the situation. Which was their right, but was of no help to him.
Lallek stops just out of reach of Jace and extends his hand. If Jace is to shake it he would need to step towards Lallek, who keeps a blank face as he waits. The other tribute would likely not accept the gesture, but of all the people in the room, Jace was the only truly desirable ally.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Apr 7, 2012 23:23:19 GMT -5
"Of course she meant it, Femra. Then again, she just told me she was coming after me 'first'. Which means I get to know where an attack is going to come from probably right away." He offers the girl a wry half-smile. "It was flashy and intimidating, but...it wasn't all that smart."
It also meant he may have to find a way to outrun her and out-fox her. They all knew they were going to kill each other in the end, but that didn't mean they had to be cruel about it. Because being a bully wasn't going to win anyone any fans.
And then the boy from District 4 steps up to the table, and Jace stands again, noting that his eyes are all for him. His oldest brother had moments like that. He'd make a decision, and he'd see it through with a determination that was terrifying to most people.
Jace knew it--and the offered hand--for what it was. An alliance. Likely between just the two of them, but an alliance just the same. In the arena, a guy could use all the support he could get, and while the others were important to his overall survival, maybe Lallek would be the one who was watching his back while he was so busy watching everyone else's.
He looks down at the hand for a long moment, considering it and the unspoken offer before he nodded to himself, his own face that same wash of determined passivity as Lallek's as he meets the other boy's eyes unflinchingly.
And firmly accepts his hand.
There's a firm nod, and his eyes never leave Lallek's. This...this was a different sort of alliance. He couldn't quite put his finger on how yet, but it definitely was different than what he had with the others here. Maybe, in it's odd way, it was stronger.
More honest.
"Jace Colton. District 9."
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