Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Vesperia, Nor any of it's characters, they are the property of Namco-Bandai.
I do not own the hunger Games, that's the Property of Suzanne Collins.
I do not own The Starving Games(2013), That's the property of Aaron Seltzer, Jason Friedberg, The Safran Company and 3 In The Box, And they can keep it.
I do not own the Fan-Fic series, hunger Games Galaxies, that's the property of fellow fan-fic writer war 292004.
This story is about my OC, Julia DuBois and her ordeals in the 2006th Galactic Hunger Games. It takes place six years before the events of Tales of Vesperia, as well as Hunger Games Galaxies.
TALES OF VESPERIA/HUNGER GAMES GALAXIES: THE PRICE OF A VICTOR
Part. 1 Prologue. A Day's Hunting.
(Aboard the Tour plane, Just outside Zaphias, following the events of Brütal Legend: Victory Tour)
(Julia's point of view)
"...So what are going to do now, Paul...?" I asked the sole surviving member of Kabbage Boy.
"Dunno, Julia..." Paul answered. "...Though I'm thinking of carrying on the band with some new members, and maybe become the new lead singer and guitarist. Not to mention, I've been wanting to go back to the roots of classic heavy metal. No more of that S.W.A.T.M.R.M. hooey, too boy-bandy. Just plain old fashioned hard rock and heavy metal."
"I'm sure Eddie would've loved that, Paul..." Ralph, the new head roadie said. "Man I'm gonna miss that guy."
"You're not the only one, Ralph." Marcia said. "We'll all miss that big lug."
"Yeah, but the night he went out…. Holy moley on a cracker." Jacob added, and I certainly agree with him on that. I mean that giant beast that emerged from the floor, wiped out most of Kabbage Boy, and disappeared along with Edward. "You know, Paul, we're kinda wondering."
"...You mean about why I'm still breathing and my friends ain't?" Paul replied. "I dunno, I was just standing there looking at that thing when I heard this voice in my head telling me to 'leave this place. And make the Metal great again.'. I think that thing looked into my soul or something and felt that I was meant to live or something… I dunno. Erik, Raz, Sid and Reggie might have been jerks, but they were my friends… I'm gonna miss 'em that's for sure. I'll have to let their folks know."
"I'm gonna miss 'em too..." Nan added. "Especially Erik, he was just soo cool… Why must those damn monsters take away everyone I like…? First my parents and now…. I swear, next time I see that thing, I'm gonna kill it!"
"Have you seen the size of that thing!? Or, for that matter what it could do!?" I interjected. "I simply do not think you can kill it! Not even with an army of Hunting Blades and Royal Guardsmen at your side… Anyway, seeing as this is our stop, I do suppose it's time we parted ways." I turn towards Natz, Paul and the roadies. "It was a pleasure traveling with you all." I politely bow, and me and Nan exit the tour plane.
"Ditto, Julia." Paul replied.
Shortly after we get on the ground, the hard light stairway disappears and the plane lifts off and flies off to the southwest, no doubt to take Natz home to Nordopolica before portaling on towards Earth. Nan joins up with Clint and Tison, who teases her about being mentored and tutored by a housemaid... Heh heh heh... And I step aboard a coach that returns me to the castle.
(The Castle, audience hall)
The first thing I see when the door opens was… "Welcome home, head maid Julia." A row of footmen and a row of my fellow maids bowing and curtsying respectively.
"Honestly, guys, you don't need to go through all this..." I felt my cheeks turn red. Really they don't need to do that for a fellow maid. Never mind one that is, after all, a daughter of an earl.
Standing next to the vacant throne was my master and mistress, prince Ioder and princess Estellise respectively along with our housekeeper, Margaret.
"Welcome back, Julia..." Estellise greeted as she approached. "So how was the Gods Realm?"
"Same as last time..." I answered. "As opulent and rather garish as ever."
"Julia, I can't help but notice..." Ioder inquired as he also approached me. "That your pin appears to be missing. Did you put it away?"
"I wish I did, master Ioder..." I answered. "...But due to a… certain incident in the Gods Realm, they decided to confiscate my pin. I was almost smited because of what happened."
"Oh my..." Estellise dainty moves her hand up to her chin.
"So I guess you'll be going up to Aspio in a few days to take those scholar exams." Ioder inquired.
"Yes, master Ioder..." I politely bowed. "So I'm afraid I won't be here for lady Estellise's 18th birthday."
"Awwwww..." Estellise moaned.
"Well I suppose Charlene Mackenzie will be continuing her duties as acting head housemaid at least until springtime." Margaret declared. "You should he honored, miss Mackenzie."
"Yes, ma'am..." Charlene curtsyed.
"That will be all. Everyone, you all may resume your daily duties..." Margaret clapped her hands and the maids and footmen left the hall to go about their daily chores. "I had your room tidied up while you were away, Julia. Use the time to rest up and get things straightened away before you go north."
"Thank you, Margaret.." I politely bowed. "I'll see you all at supper..."
(Julia's room, Later that evening)
I was just finishing my latest entry in my newest diary, which I'll call 'Edward Riggs last tour.'. I had made a few diaries in the last six years, going back to my own hunger games… I'm kinda thinking about making a novel out of it like I did with 'Scattered Flowers'. I had just finished packing some of the things that I'll be taking to Aspio(Which includes a certain grey book that I was trying to decipher) when…
Then I heard knocking on my door. "Who is it…?" I asked.
"...It's me, Estellise..." Estellise answered. "...May I come in?"
"Sure..." I answered. Estellise enters my room. "Was there anything you wanted to ask?"
Estellise sits down on my bed. "I just wanted to wish you the best when you go to Aspio, that's all." She said. "It's too bad you won't be here for my birthday."
"Well I was here for your last birthday..." I smiled back. "...'Course I was tutoring master Ioder at the time, remember."
"Oh yeah..." Estellise said as I pulled up a chair and sat down. "I was wondering… How much has the games changed Nan…?"
"What do you mean, lady Estellise?" I asked.
"Well, master Drake told me that all the victors are never quite the same person coming out of those games as they are going in..." Estellise replied. "...Although I'm sot sure how it's affected both him and commandant Alexei. But I have seen how it affected your mentor..."
"Yes, it made the poor guy an alcoholic."
"How awful… And it turned Titus into a bloodthirsty psychopathic killer… And a cannibal besides." Estellise shuddered. "Just thinking about it..."
"...Although, to be honest, lady Estellise, I always thought Titus was a bit...unbalanced going in to begin with." I said.
"Is that so… But how did it change you, Julia?" Estellise asked.
"That's a … good question, lady Estellise..." I scratched my chin. "I know that I'm not the same person I was six years ago. The games did change me, that's for certain. And some of those changes I still don't quite care for… And still a bit touchy about."
"I see… well..." Then Estellise notices a couple of knights at the door. "...Oh, I'm afraid I'll have to cut this short, Julia, I have to return to my quarters for evening studies. We'll talk later. Good evening." She stands up, and exits my room, escorted away by the two knights.
I close the door, and sit down at my desk. As I lean back in my chair, my mind starts to wander, drifting back to about six years ago…
...Six long years ago…
(Early summer, A pre-games interview between Seneca Crane and Caesar Flickerman, six years ago)
(standard point of view)
From the Treaty Of The Sin:
In penance for their uprising against the Gods, each world shall offer up a male and female between the ages of 12 and 18 at a public "reaping".
These tributes shall be delivered to the custody of the realm of Panem.
And then transferred to a public arena where they will fight to the death until a lone victor remains.
Henceforth and forevermore this pageant shall be known as the Galactic Hunger Games.
"I think it's our tradition." Seneca said. "It comes out of a particular painful part of our history. Where our civilization was almost destroyed, and, some say, the very sky above us was cremated."
"Yes, yes." Caesar agreed.
Seneca continues. "But it has been the way we've been able to heal. At first it was a reminder of the rebellions. It was a price that the worlds have to pay. But I think it has grown from that. I think it's something that knits us all together."
The audience of Panem nobles applause and cheers.
"This is your third year as gamemaker." Caesar comments. "What would define your personal signature?"
Looks like this interview will be cut short, Cause next stop in our story is…
(District 8, Terca Lumireis, Zaphais, Lower Quarter)
"NOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOO!" A young girl, aged 12, with olive skin and blonde hair woke up screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Shhhhhh..." An older girl, aged 15, also with olive skin and dark-brown hair, comforted her frightened younger sister. "It's okay. It's okay. You were just dreaming. Just dreaming."
"It was me..." The little girl sobbed.
"I know. I know, but it's not..." The older girl continued to comfort. "It's your first year to Nordopolica, Prim. Your name's been only in there seven times. But they're not gonna pick you." She rubs Prim's head. "Try to go to sleep."
"I can't." Prim sobbed. "I mean seven times in my first year."
"Just try...Just try..." The older girl said. Prim lies down on her bed, and her older sister sings her a soothing lullaby. "You remember that song…? Okay… You finish it...I gotta go…. Don't wanna keep little miss four-eyes waiting. She doesn't like when I'm late."
"I don't really like her...She's such a snob." Prim commented.
"I know, she's a stuck up arrogant prissy-skirt, Prim..." The older girl replied. "...But that what you'd expect from someone from the Noble Quarter. Besides, her family pays good. Don't worry...I'll be back...I love you."
As she heads downstairs to gather her things for her excursion outside the barrier, she passes by the local house-cat who hisses at her. "I'll still cook you." She threatened the grumpy cat. She puts on her hunting jacket, backpack loaded with the necessities needed for survival in the forests. Her quiver full of arrows and her recurve bow and exits the flat.
She jogs down the narrow cobblestone streets of the lower Quarter, passing by the various locals going about their business, and the beggars asking for whatever gald one can spare,...
...Eventually she reaches the bottom of the hill near the outskirts. Waiting for her was a group of armed men and…
… A noble girl, aged 15, mounted, side saddle, on a dun horse. Its face shield bearing the rider's family crest.
"Katniss Fotiá Larchwood…. You are late!" The noble scolded, looking down at Katniss, a haughty expression on her face. She wore a blue tailor made (Victorian style Would be quite common In The Noble Quarter, Author) riding habit, but with a skirt that reached down to her calves as opposed to her ankles, her riding boots and belt were made of high-quality brown leather and held with well polished silver buckles. Her white kid-leather gloved hands held both the reins and a riding crop. Underneath her top hat, her dark brown hair was as long as Katniss's but instead of being styled into a braid, it was compressed into a bun at the back of her head. And her cold sapphire-blue eyes, behind a pair of oval crystal lensed eyeglasses, looked down at Katniss.
"Well, excuse me, Julia." Katniss replied.
"That is lady Julia to you, Larchwood..." Julia retorted. "... Or milady. Do remember that… Honestly..."
(Julia's point of view)
Well it certainly took her long enough to get here. "If it weren't for the fact that you are one of the best guides that my father hired for me, I would have departed without you." I stated.
I mean just look at her; it's not bad enough that she has dark skin (she's probably been out in the sun too much obviously), and she is from that absolutely disgusting Lower Quarter(Why do we even allow that quarter to remain under the barrier's protection is simply beyond me), But she must be the most um-feminine girl that I've ever met, I mean she is even wearing... trousers… Leg wear that is meant for only men to wear. Zaude... What a tomboy.
"Well, since you are here, you may board my personal baggage wagon so we can depart." I ordered.
"As you wish… milady." Katniss boards the wagon that I pointed to and we depart, along with several other hunting parties, for the forest on the eastern edge of the Northern Mayoccia Plain just south of Deidon hold.
(A few days later)
We arrive at the hunting camp at the edge of the woods. Me and my father chatted with the other nobles as our servants set up our tents and prepared the evening meals.
"How nice of you to join us, archduke Kyle..." Father greeted archduke Kyle Nicolas(however did a dark-skin from Desier ever become a noble, let alone an archduke of all things, is certainly beyond me). "How are you enjoying the late-spring weather?"
"It's still a bit cold and damp for my tastes, earl Robert." Archduke Kyle replied. "The dry warm climes of Desier, Mayoccia is not..." Then he notices me. "And who is this lovely bespectacled young fawn?"
"This is my lovely daughter, Julia." Father introduced me. "She recently turned 15."
"A pleasure to meet you good sir." I curtseyed. "I do trust you'll enjoy the spring hunt."
"I most certainly will..." Archduke replied. "I hope to acquire a few more trophies for my home." the he turns his attention to my father. "There are a few things I'd like to discuss with you in private, if you don't mind."
"I see… Julia could you go and oversee our camp setup while I discuss things with the archduke?" Father suggested.
"As you wish, Father" I curtseyed, and went back to our camp. Along the way, I chatted with some of my friends from my finishing school. It was sundown before father returned to our camp. Tomorrow, we go hunting.
(The next day)
"One more cloth swab, please." I told the maid who was helping me with prepping my rifle for today's hunt. My rifle happens to be a state-of -the-art percussion cap with a lever action falling block breech-loader with a 30 inch octagonal barrel, double set trigger, peep sights, finely engraved metalwork, checkered grips on the forearm and butt-stock, and it weighs a rather hefty 10 pounds. And it shoots .54 inch lead bullets propelled by about 80 grains of black powder all wrapped in a waxed paper cartridge. This gun is practically a prototype! I shot it a few times before, it's quite accurate and strong… but the recoil...
"Jeez, lady Julia… Just how many more swabs are you gonna use..." Katniss asked me as she checked her longbow and arrows. "You're gonna wear the grooves right outta the barrel at that rate."
"That's simply unlikely, Larchwood..." I replied as I attached the new swab to the cleaning rod and inserted it into the breech. "Besides my father told me that if you wanted to make sure your weapons work right, clean them yourself…. Ah… much better." I pull out the swab and it was quite clean. Also I took the time to dissemble, clean, oil, and re-attach the moving bits of the breech and hammer so it wouldn't jam, and made certain that the opening for the primer cap was clean and unobstructed. Then I wiped down the rifle with a clean cloth and sheathed it into its holster. "There we go ready for today's hunt. I suppose I should freshen myself up so I can be presentable a the breakfast table. Miss Devons, have a bath drawn up for me. And do make sure that the water's warm."
"As you wish, milady." Devons, my personal maid curtseyed and exited my tent. After several moments she returned to inform me that my morning bath was ready… Took them long enough… oh well… can't complain… seeing as we are, after all, practically out in the middle of nowhere…
XXX
… Well, it wasn't exactly as good as the baths I have back at the estate, the water wasn't as warm as I hoped. I fear I may catch a cold… *HAHCHOO*… Oh good grief. Anyway, after I got out and my servants toweled me off, applied powder, did up my hair a d dressed me for today's hunt. I headed over to the table to join my father at breakfast. Mmmm…. Looks like sausages and hash browns today.
"Good morning, Father." I greeted as I sat down next to him.
"Good morning, Julia..." Father replied as he got himself a plate and loaded it up a rather large serving of sausages and hash browns, And a rather large cup of strong smelling Desier coffee. "Looks like it should be a good day to bag some monsters… Show those Hunting Blades a thing or two."
I helped myself to a much smaller portion of sausages and hash browns, and a small cup of Peyoccian red tea. I do have to mind my figure you know, so that I can land a really good husband with as good a pedigree as me or better. "It would appear so, Father." Then I noticed that there were others at out table. "Oh, good morning lord Gealan, Eliza, Neil. Will you be joining us…?"
"Indeed we are, young Julia..." Viscount Gealan answered. I never did get his first name, although I do recall his wife's name is Ruth. And I happen to know the siblings from my finishing school. "Your father and I will be staking out a spot a bit north of here."
"Whereas me and Eliza have a spot picked out a bit to the south..." Neil added.
"Our guide, Hedgerow will be leading us to said location and there we can shoot some game… Or maybe have a picnic." Eliza said. Will you be joining us?"
"Hmmm… Don't see why not..." I scratched my chin. "There's good spot that miss Larchwood knows… Oh well I suppose we can visit that tomorrow. Will it be alright is she accompanies us? She's a very good archer."
"Yeah… I suppose." Neil agreed to my request. We talked some more about the current events until breakfast was finished.
Soon afterwords, me, Katniss, Devons and a couple of bearers got our things and my horse ready and, with Katniss's suggestions divided our gear evenly amongst ourselves. We then met up with the Gealans, their horses, two maids, bearers and their guide, Gale Hedgerow(age 18). Handsome enough chap… For someone from the Lower Quarter, pity. "Heya, Katnip. Are those the lambs you're guiding? He greeted. Heya…? Must be how they greet each other. And Lambs…? Honestly, do I look like a baby sheep…?
"Yeah, Gale..." Katniss replied. "… The girl in the top hat, glasses, blue jacket and calf-length skirt's Julia DuBois, some earl's kid. And the girl next to her is her maid, Stephanie Devons."
Gale looks both me and Devons over. "I see… Well that we're all here, let's head out."
"Right then… Off to the hunt…" I said. "...But before we go… Neil, Eliza…? Are you two sure you want to go out there dressed like that?" Well that because both Eliza and Neil were wearing, like me top hats and riding jackets except they were red. But what concerned me was that Eliza was wearing a floor length skirt and high heel boots, Perfect for the streets of the Noble Quarter but out here...
While Neil was wearing tight white trousers and black mid-heel boots. Good for horseback but…
Well let's just simply say I've had a bit of experience that led me to wearing a slightly shorter skirt and low-heel walking boots and leave it at that.
"Of course we do, Julia..." Neil answered.
"We always dress like this when we go fox-coursing. I'm sure this hunt will be no different… Oh ho ho ho..." Eliza added.
"Only this isn't an open field, it's a forest." I stated. And we won't be chasing game on horseback accompanied by hounds, we'll be staking out a game trail that a half mile from where well be leaving our horses. Am I correct, Hedgerow?"
"Actually we'll be only a few hundred feet from where we'll leave the horses and bearers." Gale answered. "And we'll be in a more open area. Don't worry, there'll still be enough cover at the spot."
"Um...okay then… Shall we be off?" I said. Me, and the Gealans mounted up and we all followed Gale to the spot he picked for us.
Gaealan's hunting spot, mid-morning)
Well the ride up was somewhat uneventful, And the trail leading up to overlook to the Gealans game trail was obviously been manicured for ease of walking. There was almost no underbrush to snag a skirt and the trail itself was paved with cobblestones.
I should've known.
The Gealans have always pampered their children.
My family, however always insisted that we grew up expecting to do military service in the Royal Guard, so no pampering for a DuBois, for we are expected to one day guard the lives of the Heurassein family. So basically, I'm quite physically fit from doing a fair bit of exercise and hand to hand combat training and cross country hiking compared to my fellow noble kids. So basically, I'm different than your average noble girl. Can't wait to see how the Gealans do at my hunting spot...
"Well here we are..." Gale said when we reached the spot in question. "Neil, Eliza, whenever you're ready, I'll signal the handlers."
Wait a second. "Handlers?" I asked.
"Oh? You don't have monsters pre-caught a few days in advance and then released and driven into your sights, Julia?" Neil answered.
"It makes the hunt so much easier..." Eliza added. "Today we have a sounder of rhinossuses for us to shoot."
"I see..." I replied. "Though my family does things a tad differently. Where we stake out an area and our servants head upwind and make a lot of noise, thus driving the game towards our location resulting in a more random selection of beast and fowl."
"That old practice…?" Eliza said. "That is like so… last season. You know the new trend in sport hunting is to pre-catch the monsters you want to shoot a few days in advance and our catchers are the best hunting blades gald can buy. Oh ho ho ho.. I cant believe you still use those antiquated and more frustrating methods. Not to mention what's with your outfit? It doesn't look like your wearing a corset, That skirt's too short for your age. It ought to be down to your ankles not your calves. And those boots… Although they cover your legs their heels are way too low. Hardly feminine… Hardly fashionable."
"Honestly..." I sighed. True, my skirt's length is more suited for a ten year old than a fifteen year old. And I don't bother with a corset.. too confining. "...But from my personal experience, the forest simply does not care for fashion."
"Whatever… Do what you want, Julia." Eliza said. "If the forest doesn't like our refined fashion sense then we'll just have it clear cut and fed to the sawmills. Oh ho ho ho..."
I just shake my head. Some of the things we nobles do… honestly… Anyway I noticed both my guide and Gale talking. "...If you'll excuse me for a moment..." So I picked up the picnic basket that Devons prepared for me, and walked over, and sat down next to them to listen in… And maybe throw in my two gald if you will. "So, Larchwood, Hedgerow, What are you two discussing?"
"We were just talking about the upcoming Hunger Games, lady Julia." Katniss answered. "...It's going to be my little sister's first year to Nordopolica."
"Is that so..." I cocked my head.
Then Gale interjected. "You know, What if they did? Just one year. What if everyone just stopped watching."
"Stop watching the games, Hedgerow? Highly unlikely." I stated.
"Like she said, they won't, Gale." Katniss added.
"What if they did? What if we did?" Gale asked.
"Won't happen, Gale." Katniss replied. She's quite right. Seeing as watching the event is mandatory by law. Not even royalty is above the law of the gods.
"You root for your favorites. You cry when they get killed." Gale commented. "It's sick. Especially last year." We won last year but that that tribute… Titus Weaver I believe his name was… did to those he killed… ugh… How disgusting.
"I kinda agree with you, Hedgerow..." I replied. "Especially with last year."
"Gale! Lady Julia!" Katniss interjected. "I'm trying to forget that."
"Anyway..." Gale continued. "If no one watches, then they don't have a game. It's as simple as that."
"If it weren't mandatory by law, Hedgerow, that would certainly be the case..." I replied. "But you know how it is… And I simply don't see it changing anytime soon."
Gale looks at Katniss. "We could do it, you know?" Do what I wonder. "Take off, live in the woods. It's what we do anyway." Oh, that. I wonder if that's wise. You know with all those monsters running about.
"They'd catch us, Gale." Katniss stated.
"And I do agree with Larchwood, Hedgerow. Monsters do like to attack small groups of people." I said.
"I was thinking about the peacekeepers, lady Julia." Katniss retorted. "… But yeah, monsters too."
"Maybe they will, maybe not..." Gale pondered.
"Cut out our tongues and make us avoxes or worse..." Katniss said. "We wouldn't even make it five miles before even running into a squad of knights, peacekeepers or monsters."
"Worse than becoming an avox…?" I asked. An avox is those voiceless slaves that serve the gods. I have heard rumors about them from previous reapings, mostly from idle chatter from the representatives that visit our world each year. "I dread to even think."
"No we'd get five miles..." Gale argued. "We'd go that way." he points towards the west. "We'd hide out in those woods west of Deidon Hold."
"Are you absolutely mental, Hedgerow!?" I gasped. "Those woods are cursed!" I shuddered.
"That's the idea, your ladyship..." Gale grinned. "They'd be too scared to follow us in there."
"But that curse will still get you!" I nervously replied. "You'd rather face the curse than the peacekeepers? That's just… I don't know what to say." Really! I mean...Really! Hiding out in the Quoi Woods! Really! Just mentioning that place sends chills down my spine.
"I have Prim, and you have your brothers." Katniss said.
"They can come too." Gale suggested.
"And get cursed too!?" I added. "...Good grief."
"How do you even know there's even a curse?" Gale asked.
"I read it in a book..." I answered. "You ought to try that, Hedgerow...Honestly."
"Prim in the woods?" Katniss asked.
Where I added. "Either getting turned into a frog or a snake… Or being lured to her doom by the voices of the corpses buried alive beneath those trees. The chills running down my spine." … Which are quite jagged I might add.
Gale chuckles at our reactions to his somewhat foolish suggestion. "...Or maybe not, you two. You sure got an interesting client there, Katnip."
"Yeah, Gale… That's a noble for ya..." Then, out of the blue, Katniss brings up this. "I'm never having kids."
"I might, If I wasn't living on a world that the gods don't control." gale replied.
"But you do live on such a world, Gale." Katniss stated.
"I know, But if we didn't." Gale countered.
I do admit, it's a rather interesting concept and all but… "Oh, almost forgot..." I reached into the picnic basket. "Here...You two must be hungry." And offered them a loaf of bread.
The look on Katniss's Face. Heh heh. "Oh my god! Is this real…!?"
"It should be..." I answered. "Cost me 20 gald per loaf at Mellum's Bakery." Katniss breaks the loaf, takes a bite out of her piece and gives the other piece to Gale, who then eats it. They were both really enjoying that bread.
"Happy hunger games." Gale said… With an understandable hint of sarcasm.
Then Katniss added… "...And may the odds be ever in our favor." In a rather interesting impersonation of the Noble Quarter accent. That, or she's impersonating me.
"Not bad, Larchwood… But… As a noble… I can do it better...Let me show you..." I place my hand dainty on my chest and tilt my head back slightly. "Happy hunger games… And may the odds be ever in our favor..."
"She's got you beat there, Katnip..." Gale grinned.
"Well it's easy for her… She's born with that accent..." Katniss commented. How true. "So how many times has your name been put in, Gale?"
"Since it's my last year…Forty nine..." Gale answered. "Guess the odds aren't exactly in my favor." (I'll explain this variation to system in the Author's notes, Author)
"While me and lady Julia here… As well as your employers are about...Hmmm… twenty eight..." Katniss said. "Although it's unlikely they'll ever go in, 'cause if they get reaped, they have someone who'll volunteer for 'em in exchange for a few years of extra food, gald and supplies." If you are wondering… yes… I have someone who will volunteer for me and give up her life for mine. And no doubt the same thing goes for Eliza and Neil.
...Speaking of which...
"Hey, Julia!'' Eliza called out. "If you're done talking with those lowly commoners, We're ready to do some shooting!"
"Alright! Be right over." I got up and walked back to them.
"Really, Julia, just what were you thinking, talking with those two peons… And giving them your bread..." Neil said. "As a noble, you ought to know better than that. Honestly. Well let's get our guns loaded, shall we?"
"Maids, ready our guns for us!" Eliza ordered. The two maids, Candace and Dorothy as I recall, Takes the rifles from their holsters. Both the guns were like mine, breech loaders, but they both had flintlock actions and crank-action falling blocks.
"The finest guns only the Gealans can afford." Neil gloated. "Flintlock action, breech-loading, .61 caliber. Accurate out to 700 yards. The best guns on Terca Lumereis." And, I do admit, they were quite finely made. However...
… I think that I'll see their two flintlocks, and raise them one percussion cap. "… Is that so… Devons, Would you be so kind." I ordered. Devons curtseyed, then fetched my gun and my cartridge case. "..So what do you two think of this…?" Heh heh. You should've seen their faces when I drew my own personal rifle from its holster.
"No bloody way…! Is that what I think it is…?" Neil gasped.
"Neil what is it…?" Eliza asked her surprised brother.
"...She's...Got...A...Percussion...Cap…Breech-loader..." Neil stammered. "Do you have any idea how expensive those are?"
"… That is you have to ask about the cost, you simply cannot afford it. Oh ho ho ho ho..." I gloated. Actually, my rifle's about one and a half times as expensive as their flintlocks. But don't tell them that.
"Neil, we'll have to get father to purchase us those percussion caps for our next hunting trip..." Eliza said. "And make sure they're twice the price as Julia's." … Seriously…?
"I agree, Eliza..." Neil nodded. "We'll tell him that when we get back… Anyway..." He looks at their two maids. "Candace, Dorothy, Load our guns..." They pass their riffles to the maids. "And be quick about it!"
"Yes, milord..." Candace bows, and takes Eliza's gun while Dorothy takes Neil's gun. They set the hammers at half-cock, and open the guns by pulling on the handle rear of the trigger guard and, with a bit of difficulty, crank the trigger guards around until the breeches were fully opened. Judging from how dark those threads were, it appears that those mechanisms aren't well cleaned, almost gummed with fouling. Then they take a lead ball and drop it into the breeches, using their fingers to push the balls forward as far as possible. Next, they each pour a measure of powder into the breeches and crank the breeches shut, again both maids were straining to seal them up. Normally, it shouldn't be that difficult. Next, they tilt the frizzens forward, exposing the flash pans, and pour a small amount of powder into the pans and close them. They hand the now loaded guns back to Neil and Eliza… Who wipe the guns with scented handkerchiefs which they toss away. Somethings tells me that's the only maintenance those guns ever get.
"Well, might as well load mine..." I set the hammer to half-cock, pull down on the trigger guard thus lowering the breech mechanism. Next I take a pre-loaded paper cartridge and push it ball first into the chamber. Then I close the breech, cutting the back end of the cartridge spilling a little bit of powder, which I blow off with a couple of puffs. Then I take out a primer cap and seat in the nipple. "...And I'm done. So easy, even a noble girl can do it."
"You do your own loading…?" Neil said. "How commonerish."
"Well my father always told me that if you wish to have something done correctly… Then do it yourself." I replied. "And do you two even clean your weapons? I noticed that your maids were having trouble opening and closing them."
"Now why would we even dirty our hands with such a disgusting commoner task?" Eliza replied. "Such a thing is beneath the children of viscount Gealan. Oh ho ho ho. Our lowly servants should be honored to even be allowed to even touch them."
"...But your guns will not function properly or accurately if they are left dirty..." I stated. "It's worth a bit of dirt under your fingernails to insure your tools work correctly… It could make the difference."
"You're correct, milady..." Devons agreed. "...Milady even does her own maintenance on her rifle. Clearly she isn't too concerned about dirtying her own hands."
"You actually…?" Eliza asked. I nodded. "Oh, EWWW! I can't believe… And on top of doing your own loading…. And you call yourself a noble.?"
"It doesn't matter weather we clean our guns or not, Julia… so long as they still shoot and hit." Neil replied. "And speaking of shooting…. I guess it's time to signal the handlers to release the monsters and begin ours, don't you agree, my dear sister?"
"Why yes...yes it is, Neil… You heard him, Hedgerow. Signal away." Eliza agreed.
"Whatever you say." Gale nodded. He took out a flare gun, loaded a charge, and fired it into the air. Then he readied his crossbow, Katniss readied her longbow, And me and the Gealans took our shooting positions overlooking the trail that those monsters will be heading down.
Suddenly… "KYAAAAAH! NEIL! GET THAT DISGUSTING THING AWAY!" Eliza yelped.
"Eliza what is it?" Neil asked, looking at where Eliza was pointing. "Oh yuck! A worm! Gross! I'm not laying my hands on that filthy slimy thing."
I also look at there she was pointing… "Oh really, Eliza..." I reach down to pick it up. "It's only a five inch long earthworm. I doubt it's poisonous."
"I don't care if it's poisonous or not. It's gross, it's slimy, it's icky, And I can't believe you're even touching it! Throw that thing away!"
"Oh all right, Eliza..." And I casually toss away the worm, which I admit was rather gross and slimy… even through my gloves… yuck. "Honestly… yelling like will just alert those monsters… Do try to panic quietly next time."
It wasn't long before the first group of monsters appeared…. Rhinossuses… Pig-like beasts averaging over six feet at the shoulder hump… weigh up to several hundred pounds… And taste like chicken. At first the pause at the edge of the field and sniff the air… I'm guessing they're trying to sniff out the source of certain girl's yelps earlier. I'm told that they have a rather keen sense of smell. Fortunately We're downwind of that particular sounder. After a few tense moments, the sounder started to move within range.
"Okay everybody, keep it quiet… Don't wanna spook 'em again..." Gale told us. "...Who wants to shoot first?"
"I will..." Neil answered. "Then Eliza will shoot next… That fine with you, Julia?"
"Suit yourselves… Providing that sounder doesn't bolt… I'll shoot last." I replied.
Neil and Eliza pointed out which monsters they'll bag, and we took up shooting positions. They set their hammers to full cock, took aim and Fired their flintlocks. The smell of burning gunpowder filled my nostrils, the smoke filled the air. I saw two of the rhinossuses go down. The remaining sounder looked around, trying to find the source of the shots. Then they begin to run off just as I leveled my gun at a decent sized one. I pulled the back trigger, heard the click telling me the front trigger's set, aimed out a bit ahead of him, and tapped the front trigger. I felt the butt of my rifle kick into my shoulder as smoke obscured my view... HIT! The rhinossus tumbles head first base over apex in a cloud of dust. Looks like I got my trophy… and dinner for the day. Glad I brought along some shake n bake… mmn…. Rhinossus chops.
"Not bad… Nailing a galloping rhinossus..." Gale commented as the surviving sounder galloped out of view and into the nearby woods. "Alright, let's wait a bit before we go and check our catches. Make sure that sounder doesn't come back." After waiting several minutes we head up to examine the rhinossuses we caught. Gale and Katniss check each monster to make certain it's dead before cutting their throats open… So much blood...ugh… I'm starting to feel a little queasy from the sight. Even though my father has taken me to the local slaughterhouse, and had me watch the butchers gut and process the livestock and monsters in order to get me to...develop a strong stomach, I apparently still have a long way to go. I mean, all those guts and nasty bits...EWW! Neil and Eliza, however were practically green.
"You three feeling green, huh?" Katniss commented. "Well, you three don't have to stay while we gut these monsters to make 'em easier to transport."
"Right, Larchwood…I suppose we'll head back to camp then." I replied, and me and the Gealans left our guides and the bearers to process our catches and haul them back to camp.
XXX
After a short hike back up to our shooting site… which included Eliza snagging her skirt on a tree root, almost causing her to fall on her face, I told her that skirt was too long for this country… We waited until both Katniss and Gale joined us. Then we made our way back to our horses… Which I noticed were acting… uneasy… Not to mention Devons, Candace and Dorothy were having a difficult time keeping them still.
"Hey what's going on here?" Eliza demanded. "Can't you two keep those horses under control?"
"I'm sorry, lady Eliza..." Candace apologized while trying to hold on to the reins. "They started acting up just before you showed up."
"Hey! Hey! Easy there! Easy!" Dorthy tried to soothe Neil's horse. Suddenly, all three horses suddenly started to bolt. All three maids were dragged along for several yards.
"DEVONS! LET GO OF THE REINS!" I yelled out. Devons released the reins letting my horse run off.
"DON'T LET GO OF OUR HORSES! OR ELSE!" Neil shouted. But their horses ran through some brush, and Candace and Dorothy were forced to let go anyway. All three maids were looking quite roughed up.
"Devons! Are you okay?" I asked as Katniss helped her to her feet and gave her an apple gel for her scratches and bruises.
"I'm so sorry, lady Julia..." Devons apologized. "I don't know what got into her. One moment she was calmly grazing on a nearby bush and the next..."
"...It looked like your mare, and the Gealans horses wanted to run away from something..." Katniss said. "That about right?"
Devons nodded. "Yes, miss Katniss. I tried to calm her down… I'm so sorry that I lost her."
"It's okay Devons..." I replied. "As long as you're not hurt. Good parlor-maids are so hard to find. Still what could upset her…?"
"My guess… There was a carnivore nearby… I have a bad feeling it might be a wolf-pack." Katniss answered. "Lady Julia I suggest you reload that gun of yours."
A wolf-pack? My father told me about his own run-ins with those things back when he was in the Imperial Knights. They're not very numerous, averaging three to five individuals, but each wolf is a large as a fighting dog, and have a powerful bite. I decided to take Katniss's advice and reloaded my rifle. "Eliza, Neil! You two better reload your guns. Larchwood thinks there's a wolf-pack nearby and that's what scared our horses off." I told the sibling but…
...Apparently they seem to be more interested on scolding their maids. "How dare you allow our horses to run away like that!" Neil growled. "I'll see to it that you two worthless maids pay for your flagrant incompetence!" He grabs Candace by the wrist and preparing to beat her with his riding crop.
"We'll make you two regret ever being born..." Eliza added. "Thanks to your incompetence, we'll have to walk like commoners back to our camp! Neil give her a taste of what we have planned for her..." Then she rudely grabs Dorothy. "...You will watch this… And you're next..." And makes her look at Neil and Candace.
"Larchwood, hold this..." I hand Katniss my rifle and started towards the siblings.
"No, please! Forgive us, master Neil!" Candace begged just as Neil swung his riding crop at her face. He smacked her across the face a good half-dozen times before…
"What the hell do you two think you're doing…!?"..I rushed up and... "That's enough, Neil!"...grabbed Neil by his wrist, stopping the...discipline.
"How...How dare you lay your hand on a son of a viscount, Julia!?" Neil yelped as he tried to pull his wrist free from my grip. "..NNGH! Let… Let go of my hand this instant!"
Then Eliza grabbed my wrist and tried to pry me off Neil's "Unhand my brother, Julia… Ngh!… What's up with her arm…? I can't get her to let go." Well like I said earlier, I'm kinda different than your average noble girl.
"Didn't you two hear me earlier?" I continued to hold onto Neil's wrist, keeping him from striking that maid. "There's probably a group of carnivorous monsters lurking about and we might on the menu. And you two are are more concerned about punishing your maids for something that's obviously beyond their control!? REALLY! You two will stop it this instant, or I swear you two will be swallowing your own teeth! GOT THAT!?"
Well that got Neil to drop his riding crop and release Candace while Eliza released Dorothy. Once the two maids were clear, I let go of Neil. "And may I remind you two I'm the daughter of an earl. But that's beside the point. Now load those guns… On second thought, give me your guns! I'll bloody load them myself!"
I somehow managed to crank open the breech on Eliza's rifle. "NNGH!" Zaude, was it ever stiff. Gale offered to reload Neil's rifle. He had a much easier time of opening the breech, but it was obviously clear is was just as difficult for him as it was for me. I showed him how to load and charge up the rifles, and we closed the breeches. "Remind me ho have a rather long chat with you two about the proper care of your firearms." I said to the Gealans as we primed the frizzen pans and closed them up before handing the guns back to those two. Katniss then handed me my gun.
"We should head back to camp." Gale suggested. Just as we were about to head back to where the bearers were at, we heard a rustling from some nearby bushes. Gale readied his crossbow. "Alright, listen up, do not shoot until I tell you to. I could be a monster, or it could be our runaway horses or the bearers." Me and the Gealans readied our rifles, setting the hammers to full-cock, And Katniss readied her longbow. Then a couple of wolves emerged from the undergrowth. But they didn't attack, they just stood there looking at us as we pointed our weapons at them, and Devons, Candace and Dorothy cowered behind us.
"… Nobody run..." Katniss told us. "… Especially you three maids. Those guys 'll give chase..." After a rather tense moment they must have decide that we weren't worth the bother, they turned around and started to trot off when…
Neil suddenly let a lead slug fly. I almost jumped out of my boots when I heard his gun discharge. One of the wolves yelped as it spun off its feet. "Yeah! Got him! You see that, sis? I drilled him clean!" Neil whooped in delight at his feat.
...Gale, however, didn't look quite amused at this. "I thought I told you not to shoot until I say so." He scolded.
"How do you know those wolves weren't going to attack?" Neil responded. "Besides I always wanted a wolf-skin rug for my chambers. Sis, quick! Get that other wolf!"
Eliza fired her gun just as the other wolf darted into the undergrowth. "Oh too bad, Eliza, looks like he got away" I said. Just then…
Neil suddenly grabbed my rifle right out of my hand! The NERVE! "Wha..." I yelped. "What the hell, Neil! Give it back!" I demanded..
But both Neil and Eliza just laughed back as they ran towards the bushes. "I don't think so, DuBois…Matter of fact, you can keep our trashy guns, we don't need em' anymore..." I noticed that they left their flintlocks, bullets and powder horns behind. "..Think of it as a trade… with us getting the better end of the deal. AH HA HA HA HA! And Don't any of you try anything either. I know this gun's loaded…" He points my rifle at us. "Now tell your guide to lower her bow."
"We don't want any… tragic hunting accidents now do we… Oh ho ho ho ho..." Eliza gloated.
Oh, how absolutely humiliating. Grrrr." You heard him Larchwood. Lower your weapon." I told Katniss. She reluctantly releases the tension on her bow and lowers her weapon.
"Hedgerow, take her bow and arrows." Neil ordered.
"And you two..." Eliza looks at their maids. "Skin that wolf for us while we… Huh…?" We all heard some rustling in the bushes behind the Gealans. They turned around in time to…
… Oh. My. God… See this rather large blackish-brown egg bear, with red eyes, rear up from behind the bush. It looks like it weights over half a ton, ten feet tall standing on its hind legs. front claws that could peel the skin off a rhino, jaws that could shatter said rhino's thighbone. And, to that egg bear… WE taste like chicken! And, may I add… EEEEEK!
And, as frightened to shivering as I was at the sight of that large shaggy monster, it was nothing compared to the reactions of both Eliza and Neil. They were both violently shaking in pure terror. "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! NEIL! KILL IT! KILL IT!" Eliza ear-piercingly shrieked, as Neil quickly pointed my gun at that monstrously large bruin. But he was shaking so bad that when he yanked on the main trigger...*BANG*… the bullet went wide and only grazed the beast's shoulder.
"GROWLROWLLER..." The egg bear growled in both pain and raw mindless anger as it plowed its muscular bulk effortlessly through the thick brambles, lunging towards the panic stricken Neil as he tried to reload my gun. Only to realize that he doesn't have the ammunition required to shoot it.
"Ah! AAAH! NO! KEEP AWAY FROM ME!" Neil squealed as he tried to use MY gun to block a swipe from that egg bear. Said swipe sent both Gealans tumbling down an incline towards a dried river bank with the egg bear following behind, growling as he went. My gun caught a branch halfway down as the egg bear lumbered past it, eyes focused on the red-clad siblings..
Both Eliza and Neil got up and tried to run away, but Neil slipped and got his foot caught in some rocks and Eliza's feet caught her too long skirt, tripping her up and… "KYAAH! My ankle!" twisting her ankle. Neither of then are going to get away. In seconds the egg bear was on top of them ready to sink its jagged teeth into the tender flesh of a pair of spoiled nobles. "NOO! STAY AWAY! HELP! SOMEBODY SAVE MEEE!" Eliza cried out as she looked in pure terror at the egg bear's gaping maw.
"DuBois get your gun!" Katniss shouted. "We'll try to distract that guy!" Next thing I saw was Gale and Katniss aim their crossbow and longbow at the egg bear. Katniss fired first, her arrow embedding itself into the beast's shoulder. The egg bear growled as it turned to face what just stung it. It reared up on its hind legs, giving Gale a good shot at its underbelly. Gale fired his crossbow, hitting it in the centre of its torso, but the beast didn't go down, instead it charged at Gale, growling in pure rage.
Gale side stepped the egg bear's first attack, grabbed on to its fur and managed to climb onto its back as that beast reared up. He hung on the back of it's neck, stabbing at it with his hunting knife, trying to cut its throat as that bruin tried to shake him off. The Egg bear managed to swat him off it's neck, And tried to crush him under its fore paws, but he rolled aside and climbed back on top of him. He stabbed at its throat a few more times, even cut it across its muzzle as he went back to the ground. He tries to avoid another one of its swings, but it connects, sending him sprawling right up next the still immobilized, and still panic-stricken Gealan siblings.
Both Eliza and Neil's eyes were completely wide with terror as the egg bear lumbered towards them and the now stunned Gale. It hat its large paw poised, ready to strike and turn all three into its next meal when… Katniss got its attention by shooting it in the flank. It turned to see not only Katniss loading another arrow in her long bow, but me, right next to her, in a kneeling position with my rifle back in my hands, loaded, capped, full cocked, trigger set, and pointing it right at that beast. The egg bear reared up to lunge at us but I tapped the main trigger thinking…
"...Pleasedon'thangfire. Pleasedon'thangfire. Pleasedon'thangfire. Pleasedon'thangfire..." Fortunately, my gun didn't hangfire. I felt the harsh recoil as it discharged. Also, despite being rather frightened, my aim was steady enough to hit it in its chest just left of its centre. It toppled over falling onto its back and it just layed still.
Gale then got up, cautiously approached the now still beast, and used his knife to cut its throat open, making certain that it was dead. "...Hah hah… Well, four-eyes… hah hah..." He panted. "...Looks like you managed to get yourself a fine bear skin rug… Hah hah… If you wanted one...Hah hah..."
"You okay, Gale?" Katniss asked.
"I'll live, Katnip..." Gale answered as he examined the egg bear we just slain. "...Man, look at the scars on this guy. Looks like we caught ourselves a veteran. And it looks like he was still in his prime." Yes, now that we have a better look at this beast, now that it's dead, that it was male. "So, four-eyes, how're you holdin' up?"
"Still rather shaken up, Hedgerow… That was just absolutely scary..." I was still shaking from that whole experience. "Look at me...I'm still shaking, My heart's still pounding like a jackhammer-blastia, my skin is all clammy and sweaty…. Oh what a day… I almost wet my bloomers when I saw that brute."
"Only almost wetting your bloomers…? Well could be worse, lady Julia. Heh heh heh." Katniss replied, looking like she was trying to hold her laughter.
"Oh?… And what do you mean by that…?" I asked.
"Heh heh...Get a whiff of the Gealans..." Gale grinned as he thumbed in the directions of Neil and Eliza… who were now back on their feet. "...Let's just say if they weren't wearing brown pants and skirt before, they are now… I'd stay upwind of 'em if I were you."
"What do you mean by… Oh my god..." I said just as I looked in the direction of the Gealans… Let's just say what almost happened to me now seemed rather trivial…
Compared to what happened to Eliza and Neil. Eliza's white skirt and Neil's white pants now had splotches of brown on them… And it's not mud… EWWWW! And the smell coming off them… Let's just say I haven't smelled anything that bad since I cut a nia fruit the wrong way… PEE-YEWWWW…!
"NOOOOOO! MY BEAUTIFUL SILK SKIRT!" Eliza cried. "It's ruined! RUINED! AND I FEEL SO...FILTHY! Don't look at mee!"
"AAAH! My pants are ruined!" Neil added. "How dare that disgusting monster make us soil ourselves!" I couldn't help but laugh at their karmic misfortune. Teach them to steal my property. "Stop laughing at us, Julia!"
"And why shouldn't I." I giggled. "… Considering I find it rather funny to see you two get your karmic reward for taking my property." I'll admit, I do find their humiliating situation to be quite...satisfying. "Better you two than me."
They looks at Candace and Dorothy, who were both giggling. "You two also think this is funny!?" Neil snapped at them.
"N-N-No, master Neil..." Dorothy stammered.
"Impudent liars! We'll teach you two!" Eliza angrily added. "Get over her and clean us and our clothes this instant!" She ordered. "And you two will only use your tongues to wipe us clean of this filth." Oh, unbelievable! I can tell that both maids were CLEARLY not looking forward to performing such a filthy task.
"Hold it!" I interrupted. "You two maids will do no such thing! Stay right where you are. I'm going to have some words with your master and mistress."
"Julia, how dare you!" Elisa said. "Can't you see that we're completely soiled…?"
Neil added."… Besides… It's a maids duty to keep their master or mistress clean. And they were laughing at us. They have to be taught a lesson."
"I will NOT allow you two to take out your anger and humiliation on those two girls!" I sternly retorted. I got as close as I could to those two twits without losing my lunch… ugh, the smell…. "You two are just...unbelievable, you know that! Not only am I taking my gun back, I decided that I will keep your guns as well as all the game you two shot today. Furthermore, I will see to it that your family will pay for the repairs to my gun to undo the damage cause by both the egg bear and your absolute stupidity…!" I stamped my foot and showed then the gouges in my rifle's stock caused by that egg bear's claws.
"And furthermore… The treatment of both your maids is just absolutely deplorable! It is now clear to me that you two are just absolutely… Horrible! After today I do not want to have anything with you two spoiled smelly...brats! And you two can clean yourselves. Your smell is as revolting as your personalities!...HUMPH!" I turn my back to them, nose in the air, and walk away from them and towards Devons and the Gealans maids.
"Miss Candace, miss Dorothy, I strongly suggest that you two quit your employment with those two and return with me" I suggested. "...Although my house isn't hiring due to a full staff I will see about recommending you two to a much better employer."
Shortly afterwords some bearers showed up to investigate the noise. Not to mention, they managed to catch our horses. And we headed back to camp. I told my father about what happened today. I didn't do anymore hunting the following day. 1. Didn't wist to encounter anymore big scary egg bears. And 2. I was busy cleaning up my newly acquired flintlock breech loaders. And I simply decided that I will not wish to have anything to do with Eliza and Neil… Those two were just so… boorish and immature for my refined tastes. And they simply stink!
(Outside Zaphias, a week later)
After a week, we packed up our camp and headed back to Zaphais. As we approached the main street leading straight back to the Noble Quarter, We noticed several large silver objects floating above the city. "It looks like the servants of the gods have arrived..." Father sternly looked up at the flying ships. We can see groups of white clad peacekeepers patrolling the streets alongside the Knights as we passed through the shopping plaza. "We'd best get you home, Julia. No doubt they will be waiting for us."
He was right. No sooner as we arrived at our estate we were greeted by a squad of peacekeepers. In a few days, I'll be going to Nordopolica to attend the annual reaping for the 2006th annual Galactic Hunger Games. A pageant where twelve boys and twelve girls between the ages of twelve and eighteen will represent the twelve worlds, or districts, will have the glorious honor of going to the realm of the gods, and fight and die for the honor and glory of the divine ones who control the destinies of the worlds...and our lives. Tomorrow, I think I'll go shopping for some fine clothes for my little trip to Nordopolica.
End Part 1
Author's Notes:
Here we go, my latest fan-fic album, focusing completely on my OC, and her ordeals in the Hunger Games Galaxies, created so long ago by another fan-fic writer(I wonder if he'll ever finish. Personally, I'm betting on Ramirez from District 4).
Now I'll be referencing both Hunger Games by Susanne Collins and the 2013 parody, the Starving Games by Seltzer and Friedberg.
The number of times a tribute's name is entered in this continuum is as follows;
12. seven times
13. fourteen
14. twenty-one
15. twenty-eight
16. thirty-five
17 forty-two
18 forty-nine
The guest characters that my OC interacts with on the hunting trip, other than Katniss and Gale, are expies from tha shojou anime series 'Candy Candy'(1975-1979). It's a bit hard as balls to find any info on the series considering the legal malarkey it's all tangled up in. Interestingly you can watch it in any language under the sun except for English… go figure.
Katniss & Prim Larchwood and Gale Hedgerow ar, of course expies of Katniss & Prim Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne respectively. And they make a living as Hunting Blades.
Figured this would be a good time as any to introduce you to Julia's father, earl Robert Bond DuBois. Think BRIAN BLESSED and you'll get the idea of what he's like.
The guns my OC and the two 'Candy Candy' expies are based on the Sharps and Ferguson rifle respectively.
The Egg bear encounter was inspired by a scene from Disney's 'The Fox And The Hound'(1981).
Anyhoo, next chapter, We visit the shopping plaza and later on, the Colosseum of Nordopolica.
Katniss & Prim Larchwood and Gale Hedgerow ar, of course expies of Katniss & Prim Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne respectively. And they make a living as Hunting Blades.
Figured this would be a good time as any to introduce you to Julia's father, earl Robert Bond DuBois. Think BRIAN BLESSED and you'll get the idea of what he's like.
The guns my OC and the two 'Candy Candy' expies are based on the Sharps and Ferguson rifle respectively.
The Egg bear encounter was inspired by a scene from Disney's 'The Fox And The Hound'(1981).
Anyhoo, next chapter, We visit the shopping plaza and later on, the Colosseum of Nordopolica.