A/N- So, this got deleted for some reason, I didn't. But I will continue the story. It won't be a SYOT, but I will be using characters that got entered, although I only have acess to the PM'ed ones. Toyland and Clown mutts sound demonic. I'm scared of those ideas.(But in a good way) I really like the idea of an ruined Capitol, I just might use it.
I also might change around the few characters that I have. Nothing too drastic, just nips and tucks here and there, and they is a slim amount of changes to the chapter.
Long ago, there was a war between the Capital and Magiks. The Capital won, and every Magik, and human's who supported Magiks, were put into 12 Districts. The Magiks got divided up and sent to the Districts. But that wasn't enough for the Capitol. Every year, 2 people from each District get sent to the Hunger Games to battle to the death until a lone Victor stands.
And that's why I'm standing in front of a mirror, making sure I look nice before I go to the Reaping. I brush my dark hair, which stands as a contrast against my pale skin and silver eyes, that have purple flecks in them. The tips of my ears poke out from under my hair. Gotta love Elvish ears.
My ancestors were lucky, when they got sent to District 7 so many years ago. District 7 sends lumber to the Captital, so the area is nice and woodsy, perfect for Elves like us. My happiest moments are running through the woods, climbing trees, and swimming in creeks. The best is when I find berries, or an apple tree or something that will put extra food in my family's stomach. My family isn't very poor. Both my parents work to support me, my brothers, and Grandma, who has been living with us ever since she got sick. I do spare jobs around the District, and do anything I can to support the family.
But right now, it's time for the Reaping. I smooth down the simple green dress I'm wearing, and lace up my boots. I give my hair a quick last brush, and run downstairs to where my Mom, Dad, and my brothers are waiting.
"It's about time Aerlinniel!" Cundmaethor, my older brother by a year yells.
"Whatever. Remember, today we have to use our Capitol names, Louis." I say. On Reaping day, or anytime Capitol people will be here, any names in a Magiks language have to be said in their English translations.
"Fine, Melody." He says.
"Lets go." My Mom pulls us out the door. As we leave the house, my mind jumps to the actual Games. We watch them on T.V. each year. Some older people, like my Grandma, aren't used to the televisions, but I am. After Magiks were penned up in the Districts, the Capitol made many advancements in technology and science. They gave some technology to different Districts, but everyone got a T.V., just so they could watch the Games.
I hate the Games. I think that they're cruel, and unfair. But I can't stop them. I wish I could. I'm 17, so I have two more years, if I don't get picked today. It's Cundmaethor's last year, as he's 18, and my 14 year old brother Nithron has six more years to go. I zone out as we walk to the square, and snap out of it as Nithron tells the Capitol woman his name.
"Evan Wolf." My mind translates that to Nithron Draug. I tell the woman my name, as does Cundmaethor, and we find our parent's right away. We hug, give out a good luck to each other, and part ways to our sections. By now, I'm pretty nervous, and start zoning out again. I always get lost in my thought's when I'm scared. I come pack to the world as the Capitol Escort Melain (It's a weird name, even to me) picks out the girls name.
"Melody Wolf!" It's takes me a second to realize who the name belongs to.
It's mine.
I walk slowly up to the stage, my brothers are yelling behind me. My boots bang on the metal stage.
"And how old are you, dear?" Melain looks even weirder up close. She has electric blue hair, that goes straight down her back, and odd pale eyes that look almost clear.
"Sev- Seventeen" I clear my throat. The situation has sunk in yet, but my eyes are starting to water. I take and breath and compose myself.
"Now for the boys." She says cheerfully, her blue lips over-pronouncing each word. She reaches a gloved hand into the glass bowl. The crinkling of paper sounds like tiny pleas for help, and I wish I could be screaming with them. Or throwing up. One of the two. Despite how I feel, I'm standing strait faced. I don't want to look like an easy target. I turn my attention make to Melain, who is preparing to read the boy's name. I can see slightly familar handwriting, a reluctant and messy scrawl. Melain reads the name.
"Evan Wolf! Oh, do we have a brother and sister? That's exciting!" My blood goes cold, I can't breath. But before he can even start walking toward the stage, and I can start sobbing, a voice shouts out,
"I volunteer!" I kind of recognize the voice. He steps up to the stage, and now I recognize him. Being 18, he's a year ahead of me in school. One of the more popular people in school, he had many friends, but I always though he was arrogant. A tall, slightly muscular figure, curly blond hair and sparkly blue eyes. Slightly greenish skin tone, and brilliant wings. A sprite, although I'd never bothered to learn his name.
My heart rate is slowing down now, I'm less numb.
"And what's your name, dear?" Melain asks. He flashes a cheeky smile.
"Oberon. It means 'King of the Fae'." He says. Some king you are, I think. Even his name is stuck- up. But I'd rather have someone like him as my District partner than my own brother. "I want to say something. I volunteered to bring glory to 7. So this year, our Distrct will have it's first Victor!" He cheers. No one responds.
'Well, everyone, this has been the Reaping for District 7!" She spreads her arms out wide, her slender hand nearly slapping me. After a few more words, I'm herded into the Justice building. My family rushes in. We don't say anything for a minute or two, just kind of sit there.
"I guess this it." I break the scilence.
"Listen, Aerlinniel." This time I don't correct Cundamaethor with my Capitol name. "You can win this. You can run, your good with plants- not to bad with a hatchet either."
"I'll try- no I will make it back." We hug, my Mom, my Dad, and my two brothers, in some odd sort of huddle, untill Peacekeepers come in and say that our time is up. I sit down on the velvet couch with a sigh. I trace my finger across it until the door opens. To my suprise, my Grandma walks in, holding a cane for support. It's the first time I've seen her up in months. "Grandma?"
At first, she doesn't say anything. "Listen, Aerlinniel. I believe very much that you can get back home. But there's something I've never told you. They say that long ago, before the Capitol had even started the war against us, Elves could control the elements. The magic died out. Not in all of us, though. Elves who had magic had bright purple eyes. Like me. And you." Now that I think about, she always was better with the Garden than us. And she does have purple eyes, but with a bit more purple than mine.
"So you're saying, you think I can control the elements?" I'm confused.
"Yes. And that can be your secret weapon." She kisses my forehead and turns to leave just as the Peacekeeper opens the door.
"You have two more visitors." I smile, thinking of who it is. A sobbing blur rushes in, and nearly tackles me back on the couch.
"Raisa, get off of her." I look up to see Drake standing there, firey eyes bright.
"Sup Dragon. How are the scales today?" He lifts up his wrist.
"Green." Drake says. He's part dragon. He's got the eyes, and patches of scales here and there. And the wit of a dragon. Raisa is Fae, and is currently crying on me, her wings drooping.
"Raisa. I'll be fine." She sits up and rubs her eyes with her slightly pink hands.
"Sorry. I just got can't believe- "
"That I have to live with Oberon for a week?" I say. We all laugh. Drake and Raisa are my best friends. I don't know what I could do without them.
"You're going to do good." Drake says. "I just know it."
"Linny, promise me you'll make it out." Raisa says.
"I will." We tell jokes and laugh for while, untill our time is up. Raisa starts crying again, and Drake looks like he wants to punch the Peacekeeper. A different Peacekeeper leads me to a car, and seats me in the back with Oberon.
"So, Melody-" I cut him off.
"It's Aerlinniel. Ire-lin-nee-ell" I over pronouce it for him.
"Alright Ire-lin-nee-ell," He mocks my tone, "As if you didn't know already, my name is Oberon. I'm sure we'll be good friends. Maybe an alliance?" I roll my eyes.
"Just shut it." He mumbles what sounds like 'Fine, I don't you anyway', and I lean my head back, thinking about all the events to come.