(hold on to this lullaby)
It takes just a moment for a change to happen.
A moment that usually lasts a few seconds, sometimes even less. It may have been anticipated, it may have not, but the reality is that a moment is usually all it takes to change someone's life forever, in Panem. An ill-fated moment, one could call it, but for those daring and brave, a moment of a lifetime, an honour.
Growing up in District 4 didn't mean much to Aizawa until he was six years old, when he began to understood how the system, created by the Capitol, works. At seven, he decided to enrol into the Academy, knowing full well what that programme would mean to his future, what it would mean to his district. Since then, he had embraced the possibility, the prospect of him being chosen as a Career Tribute the moment he became twelve.
"Congratulations, Aizawa."
When the Academy called him to come in that morning, he has already prepared himself for what it is he would hear. At eighteen, this is his last chance of being chosen to represent his district for this year's Games, his last chance for honour and fame. For a simple young man like him, if all odds are in his favour, it is his last chance to improve the life of his family.
"Make our District proud."
Aizawa didn't choose the path of a Career because he enjoyed the title or process, nor was it because of the declaration of loyalty of his district to the Capitol. That loyalty, Aizawa readily believes, is fragile and superficial at best, breakable at any moment. District 4 isn't District 2, after all.
He isn't doing this to make his district proud. He is doing it for all the reward he'd get if, no, when, he comes back, amongst 23 other tributes, as a Victor.
The Reaping, a little unconventional this year, went like this;
District 4's escort, Saejima Haruka, reaches into the male reaping bowl first. Before she pulls out the ballot to read the name printed on it though, Aizawa raises his hand high into the air and shouts, "I Volunteer."
He keeps his face straight, his expression impassive as always as the camera finds him in the crowd. The District 4 badge gleams on his collar, an indication that he is the Chosen Tribute this year. Aizawa steps out from group Eighteen, while the Academy Trainees look on in admiration, some in jealousy, some also in relief. He makes his way up the stage gingerly, and introduces himself to Saejima, who is already beaming at him, having seen the badge on his collar, and what it represents. District 4 is after all, a Career District—it is an honour to Volunteer.
"Our first Tribute, Aizawa Kousaku!" Saejima announces brightly, lifting Aizawa's hand. The crowd erupts into applause, some forced, some genuine; Aizawa doesn't find it in him to care. His Reaping is conventional, expected of him since the Academy called him in last week.
He takes his rightful place at the center of the stage as Saejima proceeds to the female reaping bowl. She curls her fingers around a piece of ballot and waits, expectantly, for another person to shout that she volunteers. However, there is only silence in the air.
"Matsui Rino!" Saejima calls out eventually, reading the name on the ballot. Another silence, the camera still finding for the Tribute in the older groups. Aizawa knits his eyebrows together, noticing the loud gasps and murmurs filling the air from group Twelve.
No, the thought comes and goes in a flicker of two seconds as the camera finds the Tribute whose name had been called. The screen fills in with the image of a young girl, eyes opened as wide as saucers, a look of clear alarm and horror on her face. Everyone is looking at her as she takes a shaky and reluctant step out from her age group, when suddenly—
"I Volunteer!"
Everyone whip their heads immediately to the direction of that sound, as the young girl collapses in shock and relief. The camera switches from the girl who was Reaped to the girl who just Volunteered. That girl moves out from Group Seventeen, head high in the air, shoulders squared as she begins to walk towards the stage.
Aizawa faintly remembers the female Academy Trainee who went in after him, the other Chosen Tribute who he is supposed to work together with. He frowns slightly in realisation that the female who'd just volunteered, isn't her, and the dots connect by themselves; the original Chosen female Tribute must have gotten cold feet, and decided not to volunteer at the eleventh hour. Aizawa thinks that that female trainee is lucky she is in the more forgiving District 4, and not District 2 which is notoriously known for their harsh punishments to cowards who quitted halfway.
This girl, only seventeen, reaches the stage with an unreadable expression. There is no badge on her collar, nothing to indicate if she is a Career, yet she stands tall, a calm look on her face. When prompted, she gives her name to Saejima, and takes the center stage with Aizawa. Neither looks at each other.
"District 4's Tributes this year, Aizawa Kousaku and Shiraishi Megumi!"
The cheers and claps are decently thunderous, as Aizawa searches the crowd for the only familiar face he knows. He finds her at the side and notices that she is crying—his grandmother meets his eyes, and they exchanged a brief, tender moment, before both Tributes are ushered off stage and into the waiting room for their next agenda.
"Guess I'm stuck with you this Games." A voice fills the quiet room as a man steps in and closes the door behind him loudly.
Aizawa's eyes narrow in annoyance, recognising that voice in a split second. He looks up from his seat and meets the steely gaze of a senior from the Academy, and presumably his current Mentor for the rest of the Games. Shinkai throws him a grin, which he does not reciprocate.
"They couldn't send someone else to be my Mentor?" Aizawa asks flatly as Shinkai plops himself onto the empty couch.
Shinkai Hiroki emerged victorious during his Games five years ago when he was only fourteen, making him the youngest Victor in District 4 till date. Though he was part of the Academy from young, on the Career path as Aizawa, he had been fatefully Reaped, and no Volunteer had taken his place that year.
"Aw, come on, we used to go way back." Shinkai replies with a relaxed laugh, having known Aizawa since they were children. Aizawa doesn't think they are close, though, so he doesn't respond to that. Instead, Aizawa asks him a question, "Who is Shiraishi's mentor?"
"Hiyama." Shinkai says simply, tucking his hands behind his head as he leans into the couch. Aizawa nods, though a little surprised hearing the name of a Victor who had only just won her games two years ago; a fresh Mentor. Still, Aizawa doesn't questions her abilities; Hiyama was a Chosen Tribute at age sixteen, a feat not many has achieved till this date.
"So the Academy decided to assign two of their latest Victors to us." It is a statement, not a question, and Shinkai raises one eyebrow. "Why, did you hope to get Saijo-san or Mitsui-san?"
Aizawa merely shrugs, taking a sip of his drink. "They have more experience." He says as a matter of fact, and Shinkai lets out a loud laugh. "Okay, that's a fair point I suppose."
"What do you want, Shinkai?" Aizawa asks with a sigh. After his grandmother had left his room to wish him well and say her goodbyes, and before his Mentor had entered his waiting room, Aizawa had almost decided on taking a quick nap. The briefing doesn't start till half an hour later, and looking at the Peacemakers standing on guard outside of his room, there really isn't anywhere else he is allowed to go.
Shinkai sits up straight, finally wiping the casual demeanour he has been displaying since he entered Aizawa's waiting room. He grasps his hands together, his expression serious. "You need to decide on the persona you want to show to the rest of the world."
"What's wrong with my current one?" Aizawa deadpans.
Shinkai shakes his head. "This is a serious matter, Aizawa. The personality you display for the Capitol to see will remain with you for the rest of the Games. You need to choose one which can bring you the most Sponsors. You know how important that is, don't you?"
Of course he does, Aizawa thinks to himself. The more fans, the more sponsors. The more sponsors, the more funds, the more tools, gears, items, even weapons you will get during the Games. The better your chances are at winning.
"Shiraishi," Shinkai continues, taking out a tablet and practically shoving it into Aizawa's face. "It has only been half an hour, but the Capitol has not stopped talking about her."
Aizawa looks at the screen in front of him, various media coverage of the Reaping displayed on the front page. Most evidently, is how Shiraishi's face seems to grace every article on the media.
"Do you recognise her?"
At that, Aizawa raises an eyebrow. Shinkai retracts the tablet to press into an article, before dropping the device into Aizawa's hands. "She's the Capitol's darling. Caught on camera 5 years ago, during my Reaping."
The memory clicks into gear, and Aizawa suddenly understands why Shinkai is so persistent on deciding his image. Shiraishi had been Reaped five years ago, when she was twelve, though unlike Shinkai, someone had Volunteered to take her place. The brief moment of her being caught on camera though, with her doe-liked eyes, fair skin and beautiful face, was enough to send the Capitol into frenzy, a temporary obsession with her beauty. Shiraishi had been whisked to the Capitol for a few months to shoot some commercials, appear in a few magazines, before she was sent back to District 4.
"You've already lost to her in terms of popularity, Aizawa. She's no stranger to them." Shinkai breaks the truth to him. "The Capitol adored her then, and they will adore her again now."
Aizawa doesn't know what to say, so he keeps quiet.
"But," Shinkai puts in rather optimistically, "it's a good thing you're not that bad looking yourself. We can still salvage this situation."
"Hn." Aizawa grunts in response, putting the tablet on the coffee table. He still doesn't know what to say.
"I mean…I guess I can see the appeal of being aloof to this entire ordeal…an ice king image, perhaps?" Shinkai rubs his chin in deep thoughts. During Shinkai's own Games, he had projected a lively and cheeky persona, true to his age then, always grinning and cracking jokes whenever he had the chance to. His strategy was a success, as he was within the Top 3 most loved Tribute that year, his Sponsors ensuring he had all the supplies needed to survive. With Aizawa though, he wasn't entirely sure if he should impose the same image on him, seeing as to how the former was nothing like him.
"I'm fine with that." Aizawa finally says, somewhat already tired of this topic. He knows the importance of Sponsors, but he doesn't think he has it in him to change the persona he has already built up for himself over the years; guarded, distant, somewhat cold. He doesn't need to be like Shinkai, who had probably befriended almost every Tribute during his time. Why should he, when the inevitable is bound to happen?
"That's decided, then." Shinkai gives in easily, knowing how stubborn his friend could be. There is a silence after that that stretches between them for a long time, until Shinkai clears his throat to say something again.
"You'll make it back alive, Aizawa."
Aizawa doesn't reply. He just hopes.
The briefing ends as quickly as it started, and before either of them could truly fathom all that is about to happen, Aizawa and Shiraishi are ushered into the speed-train that would bring them to the Capitol. They aren't allowed to bring anything from home.
They sit in comfortable silence, Shinkai, Hiyama and Saejima being the only ones exchanging conversations with each other. Aizawa figures it is because they no longer have anything to lose, that they could talk freely like this to each other. Shiraishi keeps her head on her plate of food the entire journey, while Aizawa looks at nothing in particular outside the window. They passed many trees, two lakes, bridges and villages, until the city of Panem—the Capitol—is seen from afar. Aizawa sits straighter in his seat, taking in the view of the looming buildings he would never imagine in his own district, skyscrapers that seem to stretch to infinity and beyond, the Training Centre stands the tallest at the heart of the Capitol.
"The moment of truth." Hiyama announces, tapping Shiraishi on her arm gently. "Look out of the window, Shiraishi."
Shinkai casts a knowing gaze to Aizawa as well, which reads that he should do the same, too. Aizawa nods and goes back to looking out the window. At first, he doesn't see the significance of doing what Hiyama and Shinkai had asked them to do, but then, slowly, he sees it.
As the train approaches deeper into the Capitol, Aizawa spots the various banners decorated all over the city. They all had various names and even faces of the Tributes printed, or written on them. Aizawa occasionally sees his name here and there, which surprises him that he has any fans at all. He sees many other names, the Tributes from District 1 and 2 are just as popular as he would imagine, but ultimately, Shinkai is still right; in every ten banners that he sees, at least five of those banners had Shiraishi's name on them.
Aizawa then sees the Capitol crowd, gathered by the streets leading to their destination that evening. They are cheering excitedly at the trains from each District that pass by, some of them even carrying placards bearing the names of their favourite Tribute.
Aizawa casts a glance at his district partner, whose eyes have turned wide at the immense support she is receiving. Shiraishi couldn't tear her eyes away from the window, face nearly pressed against it in pure awe. She smiles slowly, and waves at the crowd outside. Hiyama smirks in obvious happiness, her arms crossed as she says nothing.
"All right, we're reaching." Saejima announces, standing from her seat. "Get ready."
This marks the start of the 67th Hunger Games.
The first time Shiraishi speaks to him is the next morning, when they meet again in preparation for their Chariot Ride, a procession through the Capitol where the citizens can finally see their Tributes face to face for the first time. It is an important opening event that Shinkai has lectured him about, an opportunity to make really good first impressions on potential Sponsors.
"Good morning," She greets him first, finally looking into his direction properly. She offers him some croissants and sandwiches. "Here, eat up, it's going to be a long day."
Aizawa is slightly confused, accepting his breakfast slowly. "Thanks."
"This is really happening." Shiraishi starts again after a few seconds, still in close proximity with Aizawa. "Can you believe?" She asks.
"Yes." Aizawa replies tersely, finishing his sandwich in two bites. "Can you?" He returns afterwards.
Shiraishi shakes her head. "I'm still trying to."
Aizawa can't say that he blames her for feeling this way. She isn't a Career, after all. This isn't the path she is supposed to take, yet here she is, in a twisted fate that Aizawa couldn't even sympathise because she chose it herself, albeit heroically.
"How's Shinkai as a Mentor?" Shiraishi asks a few seconds after their first conversation died. She is trying to keep the conversation going, Aizawa muses to himself with an internal shake of his head. How naive, he thinks.
"Annoying." Aizawa answers, simply because it is impolite not to. He doesn't say anything else, or even asks Shiraishi anything—the atmosphere turns awkward quickly. Shiraishi shifts her feet uncomfortably, and Aizawa immediately knows that she is struggling over a decision in her mind; to walk away, or to stay?
"Oh, I see." Shiraishi says with a small smile on her lips, "Hiyama has been really nice to me, giving me various advices and tips. Apparently she knows Shinkai from their Academy days, and even though she was mentored by Mitsui-san, Hiyama said—"
"Shiraishi," Aizawa interrupts her mid sentence, slightly sorry for what he has to say next. It would burst her bubble, but Aizawa thinks it best that it happens now then later. "There can only be one Victor." He reminds her, his voice void of any emotions.
Shiraishi's jaw drops slightly, the implication behind his sentence so strong that Aizawa could see hurt flashing briefly across her face. And then her expression hardens, and she nods.
Shiraishi walks away without looking back. Aizawa believes it is for the best.
Aizawa sees Shinkai after the Chariot Ride, the latter doesn't seem impressed at all with what had transpired during the procession. Shinkai is furiously pressing on his tablet again, darting a glare at his Tribute. "I'm not asking much from you, Aizawa." He begins with a hiss as he shoves the tablet into Aizawa's arms. "You could have at least waved at the crowd, yknow?"
A quick glance at the tablet is enough for Aizawa to catch that the Capitol has chosen their Top 5 favourite Tributes from the Chariot Ride. He didn't even make it into Top 10. Aizawa sighs heavily. "This shouldn't matter that much."
"But it does matter!" Shinkai snaps back, pressing into the video of the Chariot Ride. The chariots from each district slowly appeared, starting with District 1, and each Tribute had been accorded with a few seconds of a close-up shot. Aizawa sees himself in the video then, grimacing slightly at how cold and disgruntled he looked, as though this entire event is beneath him, a complete waste of his time. He didn't even wave, let alone smile at the crowd, which was a stark contrast with his district partner.
Shiraishi's close up shot has once again, attracted the attention of the entire Capitol and made a lasting impression. Her Chariot shot lasted way longer than everyone else, and it's easy to understand why. She had thrown a lovely smile at the correct timing, her gaze pure and innocent, her decorum humble and sweet. She had bowed her head slightly several times, even caught a rose thrown into her direction effortlessly. Shiraishi is the epitome of a Tribute that people would naturally feel incline to support, not because they believed she could win, but because they want her to win.
"Sponsors can only do so much." Aizawa wrinkles his nose, pushing the tablet into Shinkai's chest. "I'll win the Games without them, if it comes down to that point."
"Most of the time, Tributes die not from attacks, but from natural causes. I can assure you, you'd wish you have Sponsors at that time." Shinkai sighs exasperatedly, running one hand across his hair. "You'd better start befriending Shiraishi so you can benefit from all her Sponsors."
"Ha?" Aizawa shoots him an incredulous look. "Are you serious?"
"I'm talking about forming alliances." Shinkai explains. "You're from a Career District. The Tributes from One and Two would want to form an alliance with you and Shiraishi, eventually."
"You mean to form a Career Pack?" Aizawa scoffs. "I don't believe in that. We'll end up killing each other."
"It's so that you work together to eliminate the others, first."
"I can do it just fine by myself."
"I—" Shinkai pinches his nose bridge before throwing his hands up. "—fine, do whatever you want."
That night, the Tributes moved into the residential tower connected to the Training Center, each floors designated entirely to each district. Shiraishi and Aizawa got off on the fourth floor wordlessly, and were greeted by the sight of luxurious furniture and mountains of assorted food on their dining table. Hiyama, Shinkai and even Saejima, their district escort, had already started on dinner just as Shiraishi and Aizawa joined them at the table. Later, their avoxes showed them to their respective rooms.
Before disappearing into their rooms and calling it a night, Saejima briefs them about their training schedule which would begin tomorrow, advising and reminding them to always be vigilant with the rest of the Tributes, and to not stir unnecessary trouble before the Games.
When Saejima leaves, Aizawa turns to his room the same time Shiraishi does to hers. They don't wish each other a good night.
Shiraishi waits for him by the elevator the next morning, giving him a slight nod when their eyes meet.
He is slightly surprised, but says nothing. They quietly head down to the underground gymnasium together, meeting the rest of the Tributes. Aizawa doesn't miss the look of arrogance and disdain from the Tributes of District 1 and 2, but he ignores them. A trainer appears then, with a huge grin as she welcomes them to the Training Center.
Not at all bothered to listen to the welcoming speech, Aizawa takes in the surrounding of the gymnasium, looking from station to station. The racks of weapons, tools and gears that he sees in front of him aren't much of a difference from the Academy's.
Being from Four, a district that specialises in fishery, Aizawa is naturally good at using tridents and spears. His grandmother had taught him the basics back when he was a lot younger, using them to catch fishes in the sea. Once he had gotten into the programme at the Academy, Aizawa was exposed to many other weapons, he could wield any weapons if he wants to, though the supervisors decided he should stick to using a trident as his main weapon of choice—something about upholding the image of Four.
As the welcoming speech comes to an end, the Tributes are quick to head for the stations of their choices. Both Tributes from One, and Two A go straight to the station for swords and knives, Two B decides to show off her stamina and agility by beelining to the obstacle course, swinging herself up onto the platforms effortlessly. The station for axe is occupied by Seven A, spears by Eight B, archery by Twelve B. And that's just about all the Tributes that Aizawa remembers.
Aizawa doesn't show off his weaponry skills immediately, heading straight instead for the station to climb ropes, a perfect exercise to start the day. When he climbs to the top, he scans the crowd below, wondering out of curiosity, where his district partner is.
Aizawa finds her then, in the far corner—a station to learn about snares. He doesn't question her decision, as odd as it may seem, but when he leaps down from the rope and lands on both feet neatly, Aizawa overhears the Career Tributes whispering to each other.
"What a disgrace," One B snorts, as Aizawa heads for another station. "A Tribute from a Career District, but with no qualities of being one."
"Didn't you see her Reaping? She isn't a Career." Two A puts in kindly, though One B brushes that aside quickly. "I hate that she's the Capitol's favourite. What does she have in her other than having a pretty face?"
"Are you jealous that you're not the prettiest in the Games this year?" One A teases his district partner, who retaliates with a light jab in his stomach. "Shut up!"
They're talking about Shiraishi, Aizawa realises a second later as he stops at the weightlifting station. He keeps his hands busy with some weights, though he tries to remain discreet, still listening to their conversation.
"The guy from Four seems good though," Two A says then, just as Aizawa puts the dumbbells down. "We should definitely ask him to join our pack."
As if, Aizawa thinks to himself, adding weight to the dumbbell. He'd rather work alone, than with a group of pretentious people who would turn against each other the second there's an opportunity to. He continues to lift the weights, and sees from the corner of his eyes that Shiraishi has moved on to the next station of identifying edible, non-poisonous plants and insects. The expert is more than eager to teach her, since his station isn't popular at all. Shiraishi smiles back gratuitously, just as Aizawa finds himself scoffing at how naive she looks like at the moment.
The mark for an alliance begins during lunch hour.
Aizawa enters the dining room and spots the Tributes from One and Two seated together by the same table. The second he meets eyes with One A, he is waved over. "Hey, Four!" One A shouts, gesturing at the last remaining seat at their table. "Come join us for lunch!"
He sucks in his breath. This is a moment he has carefully thought of since training that morning. An invitation to join the career pack alliance isn't one of luck, it's supposed to be a privilege. By being in the career pack, you're bound to survive until the Top 10, at least.
Even so, Aizawa has already made up his mind that he wouldn't want to associate himself with the likes of his potential enemies. So he ignores One A, and heads instead, for Shiraishi who is sitting alone in one of the tables. Knowing that no other Tributes would join her, due to being intimidated by her popularity, Aizawa places his tray loudly on the table, startling her as she looks up to meet his eyes. She doesn't say anything, though Aizawa could tell the look of relief crossing her face.
They start eating their meal in silence, until Aizawa casually starts a conversation with her. "What weapon do you specialise in?" He asks. "Spears? Tridents?"
A few seconds pass, then, "I thought you didn't want to talk to me?" a cold response from the otherwise timid young lady.
Aizawa ignores that remark. "How do you even plan on winning the Games?"
"Strategies." Shiraishi replies in a curt manner whilst stirring her bowl of hot soup. She doesn't elaborate further.
"That's not enough." Aizawa continues, recalling the Career pack's conversation earlier. He doesn't know why he is saying this, only that he thinks Shiraishi should know so that she could take this entire thing more seriously. "The Careers. They were talking about you earlier."
There's a long pause. From his words, Shiraishi understands that she is being targeted by the Careers for seemingly being weak. "Knives." She finally says, and both look up from their bowls at the same time, eyes meeting. There is a brief look of confusion that Shiraishi sees in Aizawa's expression, knowing the question that is lingering in his mind; Aizawa is wondering how she is good with knives when she has never been to the Academy, and she lives in the fishermen village?
"My father is a healer." She explains, though stops at that. It takes Aizawa a few seconds to realise the implication behind that occupation.
"Scalpels, you mean." Aizawa says under his breath, to which Shiraishi shrugs. "Same thing to me."
There is a fiery glint behind Shiraishi's eyes when she says that, that mildly impresses Aizawa. He understands at once that Shiraishi isn't as weak as what the others think of her. If she had followed her father religiously over the years, she'd probably be able to knock him out with just one hit to his vital points, if he isn't careful with her.
Perhaps it's time to consider Shinkai's advice, Aizawa silently thinks to himself.
That night, Aizawa knocks on Shiraishi's door. She opens it two seconds after, a confused look etched on her face. "Aizawa?"
"I don't usually say this but," Aizawa clears his throat, slightly uncomfortable, though he persists on. "do you want to form an alliance with me?"
Shiraishi looks shocked, to say the least. She regains herself after a long pause, still hesitant over what he had just asked her. "You want to form an alliance with me." Aizawa isn't sure if that is a statement or a question, so he merely nods.
"Why?" She asks, eyebrows furrowed together, hands clutched to her chest, as though she couldn't comprehend what is going on.
"I've weighed the many possibilities, and even though I prefer working alone—" Shiraishi's shoulders drop slightly, "—I figured that having an extra brain that I could trust, will probably be useful."
Her eyes widen. "You…trust me?"
"Compared to the rest of the Tributes? Yes, I do." Aizawa firmly says. He thinks he could even trust her with his life, Aizawa almost wants to say, but he stops himself. Instead, he teases, "And hey, if you're my partner, I don't have to worry about eating poisonous plants and berries."
Shiraishi nearly lets out a laugh, but she too, stops herself. "I've also mastered snares and nets."
The corner of Aizawa's lips nearly pulls up, but he merely nods. "See? You'll be a great help."
"Guess we're officially partners, then?" Shiraishi says a little too brightly, as if they aren't heading straight to their deaths two weeks from now, as if she'd forgotten that only one of them, or neither, would make it out of the arena alive.
"Hn," Aizawa forces a slight smile, the first he has given to Shiraishi. She notices, of course, her expression mirroring his. "I guess."
Aizawa turns around then, ready to leave, but he stops when Shiraishi calls out to him. He looks behind his shoulder, seeing that Shiraishi has tipped her head slightly towards him, a bow of gratitude. "Thanks for trusting me, Aizawa."
He flinches slightly; if she had done that during the Games, she'd be dead in a matter of seconds. "Don't do that anymore." Aizawa offers a piece of advice before heading back to his room.
(end of part 1/2)
Glossary:
1) Academy - An institution to train future Careers, found only in District 1, 2 and 4.
2) Capitol of Panem "The Capitol"/– A technologically advanced, utopian city, led by a dictator—the President. Its citizens are the wealthiest and the most powerful. Their children do not take part in the Hunger Games.
3) Career – A person trained from young for the purpose of entering the Hunger Games. They're usually vicious, strong, courageous and believe that participating in the Hungers Games is an honour.
4) Career District – Districts who produce Careers, usually the more loyal and wealthier districts, ie 1, 2 and 4.
5) Career Pack – An alliance made out of Careers, a formidable group of people who will not hesitate to kill since they're programmed to be like that.
6) Chariot Ride – an opening event for the Hunger Games, basically a procession through Panem. There are 12 chariots all together, for 12 districts. The 2 tributes of the same district share one chariot.
7) Chosen Tribute – A predetermined tribute chosen by the Academy who enters the Games willingly with the intention of winning. He/She would then volunteer during the Reaping.
8) District – There are 12 Districts in the Capitol of Panem, each districts specialise in different fields. Think of them as 12 different states, for example. Most of the districts live in poverty, except Districts 1, 2 and sometimes 4.
9) Escort – A citizen from the Capitol who becomes the spokeperson/representative of a particular District.
10) Mentor – A previous Victor from the same district, who would assist and advise the Tribute throughout the duration of the Games.
11) Nightlock – Poisonous/deadly berries.
12) Panem – The Ruling Government of this universe.
13) Peacemakers – Panem Military (remember, dystopian setting!)
14) Reaped – An act of being chosen by random through a ballot, for the Games.
15) Reaping – An event held annually to choose the Tributes for the Games.
16) Sponsors – Citizens in the Capitol who would bet on the tribute they love/support, and would offer monetary assistance which would then be used to buy the require items/tools/gears/essentials to be sent to the Tributes when the Games is ongoing.
17) The Hunger Games – A prestigious annual event where 2 people aged between 12~18 from each Districts are sent to an arena as part of a 'battle it all out until there's one last person standing' for entertainment to the Capitol citizens. This event is televised nationwide throughout the Capitol and all 12 Districts. Other than District 1, 2, 4, Tributes who get chosen from other Districts view this as an act of sending their children to death, as they have little to no chance of winning. This event serves as a reminder of the Rebellion (where all Districts revolted against the Capitol) that happened 67 (well in the books, 75 years) ago. In the books, the protagonists, Katniss and Peeta are from District 12 which is the poorest district of all districts. Throughout 74 years of the Hunger Games, only 1 Victor hailed from District 12 (Haymitch Abernathy).
18) Tribute – The person chosen to participate in the Hunger Games annually. There will always be one male and one female tributes from each districts.
19) Victor – The tribute who wins the Hunger Games ie the last (wo)man standing out of 24 Tributes.
20) Volunteer – A person who was not Reaped, but volunteered to be in the Games. Very common for Career Districts (since they WANT to participate in the Games), but very rare for the other districts (in the books/movies, Katniss was the first ever to volunteer from District 12, to protect her 12 year old sister who was Reaped during the 74th Hunger Games).
a/n: i was inspired to write this after reading a really good THG!AU fic for another fandom whose characters the author wrote hailed from District 2. And after discussing this further with Yuri Hannah, this fic was born! For those who didn't watch The Hunger Games, even though the protagonists are underdogs from District 12, I actually personally find tributes from Career districts (1,2,4) fascinating, because they all have different personalities even though they're career districts. A Career is basically someone trained from young to enter the Games to basically win it and get the glory for their district, and District 2 is the most loyal to the Capitol so their tributes are usually pretty lethal. For District 4, they were only portrayed to be careers in the books and not the movies but from my own headcanons of them, I don't consider them as vicious or loyal to the Capitol as District 2 and to some point, 1, but there are still some career-trained tributes there hence why I made Aizawa a career but not Shiraishi! If you have any questions regarding this universe just ask me, i can be reached on twitter at "bboaing", i'll be happy to answer any inquiries!
There will be one last part coming up soon, probably the next day. I finished writing this fic last week and it went up to 11k so you guys are in for a ride! This fic is also one of my submissions for Aishiraburu's FanFic Fest, which was why I waited till it's 12AM JST on the 9th of April before posting this up hahaha (Happy Birthday Yamapi!). As usual, comments are always a welcome, i'd love to know what you think about this fic :)