A/N: Here's the first set of reapings! And a nice little fact, already this story's nearly at 5000 words! Hope you enjoy meeting the tributes!
This was a fun chapter to write. I absolutely LOVE Ebony, he's like the best thingasdfghjsdfg, and Emerald didn't come with a story, but I enjoyed creating one!
Ebony Amaranth, 18, District 1
I swiftly dodge Topaz's knife as it flies towards me, before thrusting my spear at her. If it weren't for her body armour, she'd be dead. I wipe the sweat off my brow, and place the weapons back. I'm ready. Tomorrow begins my transformation from victor's kid to victor. It's well known that the Amaranth family has a reputation of victors. My parents won 44th and the 48th games, respectively, and my older brother, Cris, won his games six years ago. And now it's my turn to carry on the tradition. I've managed to win the spot of the District 1 male representative, so I'll be volunteering tomorrow.
"Hey, Eb. You there?" Topaz waves her hand in front of my face. She's my training partner; we were assigned together since we share a birthday, "You kinda spaced out," see, that's my one flaw. I become so absorbed in my thoughts, I'm oblivious to the world. "Anyway, I have to head home now. See you tomorrow," Topaz waks into the girls' shower room. I decide to do some more solo training. I practice tossing knives at the dummies. I hit each one right in the heart. I think about who'll be joining me in the Games tomorrow. I know Topaz was knocked out of the tournament to be the representative by a girl called Glitter or something from the northern part of the district. But I didn't pay attention to the tournament after Topaz's elimination. I do another run of the assault course, flawlessly passing through, and head to the shower room.
After showering and changing into a simple T shirt and shorts, I head out the door of the training centre. The sun's setting, and there's a pleasant summer breeze. It's days like this I wish that our district was next to the ocean, it's perfect weather for a relaxing swim. But I live in District 1, not 4. And besides, we have the best training facilities out of the Career districts. I walk down the road, passing through the central plaza. Everyone's busy setting up for the Games. I see Gleam, a victor who used to train in the same centre as me, helping set up the reaping stage. I just hope this year our escort actually looks decent, not like a rainbow just vomited its major organs all over her.
I pass through the square, and walk up the cobble paved road that leads to the victor's village. I reach the front gate to the village.
"Hey Ebony," It's the local Peacekeeper, Grayson. Apparently, his neice back in 2 won the place of the female tribute. He flashes me a smile, and opens the gate, "See you at the reaping,"
"You too," I reply. I hope he'll be alright with me winning the Games and not his neice. I turn the corner, and step into my front lawn. I look at the way the flowerbed's are arranged. Of course, mom's set up a bunch of traps. It's her specialty. She won the 44th Hunger Games at 13 by killing ten of the tributes with her traps, and when she mentored two years ago, she taught the tributes how to completely rig an entire area with them. It managed to completely take out the baby faced boy from 3. Too bad both tributes were taken out by the girl from 3, Sparkle or something. I reach into the bush, and pull three knives out of it. I use them to cut the tripwires blocking my path. I open the door, and I'm met by the aroma of dinner.
After dad became a victor, it turned out he had a knack for cooking. I close the door, and place my shoes in the front hall. I'm suddenly aware of another presense, and duck just as Cris throws himself at me. He ends up smacking into the wall, his long brown hair flying everywhere.
"Too slow bro," I say, barely stifling a laugh, "I'm surprised you actually won the Games, given those appauling reflexes,"
"Dude, I'm just rusty is all," he rebuttles, gathering himself before heading to the dining room.
"And ever heard of shaving?" I call after him. He's trying to grow facial hair, but it's too fine and gathered in clumps to actually have anything done to it besides removing it. I walk into the dining room, and join my family for dinner.
"I see you made it home alive then," My mother says, smiling her trademark cocky grin,
"Hey, you shouldn't have done that the evening before the reaping. If I set a trap off, I'd be handicapped,"
"Listen. In the arena, even familiar territory can turn into a deathtrap at any given moment," she lectures, but stops when dad brings in dinner. A succulent roast chicken, with potatoes and vegetables, laced with gravy. I happily munch away at the delicious meal. The added herbs really bring out the flavour.
"So, any clue who my partner in crime's gonna be?" I ask between mouthfuls of food.
"Word at the bar is it's gonna either be Sapphire from Gleam's training class, or this Emerald girl from the private training centre," Dad replies, pouring us glasses of water. So now I know my potential competition. I've seen Sapphire train. She's only 16, but she took down massive Glitz without breaking a sweat. But I know nothing about this Emerald girl. I wonder if she beat that Glitter girl. I finish the last of my dinner, and head off to my room. Normally, I'd request a sparring session with dad, but I don't want to look too tired. I close the curtains, strip my shirt off, and climb into bed.
When I wake the next morning, it's still early. I shower, and head to my closet to pick my outfit for the reaping. I eventually decide on a pitch black button up shirt with a deep red tie, and some loose formal pants, that compliment my black hair and dark grey eyes. I hear a noise from downstairs. A crash, followed by a string of curses. Cris is up. That's right, he'll be mentoring me and the other tribute this year. I go downstairs, to find him in a formal suit, covered in a powdered herb. At least he shaved that ridiculous excuse for facial hair. I see the empty shaker.
"You know, covering yourself in your name's really not the best idea," I hold up the vial that's labelled POWDERED AMARANTH HERB FLOUR, "Dad's gonna flip when he sees this mess."
"I was just trying to make some breakfast when the herbs decided to attack me," he grunts, trying to wipe the mess off his suit.
"Some mentor you'll be. You barely survived a deadly onslaught by dad's cooking ingredients," I begin to laugh. At least he's not like that crazy drunk from District 12, but he's a close contender for most laughable mentor. Sill smiling, I place the bread in the toaster.
"Let's just stick to toast. At least you won't get covered in it," I tease as I hand him a slice, "And clean up before dad sees this mess," he goes to punch me, but I stop his fist dead in its tracks.
It's only ten, so I have a few hours to kill. I walk into the living room, and find a DVD laying about. It's a copy of Cris' Games. I'm in the mood for a good laugh, so I put it on. His reaping's priceless; he volunteers as the escort calls his name out. He then nearly falls off stage as he shakes hands with his district partner. He misses stepping on the chariot in the parade, and ends up running along the street chasing his chariot, the jewels from his costume falling behind him as he runs. I can barely contain my laughter. Even the announcer's trying to stifle a laugh. His interview costume's a mess; he put his shoes on the wrong feet, and the entire interview consists of Caesar howling with laughter. Mom says this was his strategy all along, but anyone who knows him knows that this is him trying to be professional. I hear someone come down the stairs. It's mom and dad. They walk in, already dressed in their formal outfits. I see mom trying to contain a laugh. The bloodbath's starting, her favourite part. Cris nearly falls off his platform as it rises, and when the gong sounds, he's tripped by a twelve year old from District 12 of all places. Realising how much of a hinderance he'll be to their alliance, the boy from 2 tries to kill him, but Cris ends up tumbling down a slope into the river below, screaming more than the girl from 8 did.
He sets up a snare trap, and gets caught in it, trapped until the forest fire burns it off. He then takes refuge in a cave, eating the jelly sweets he got as a sponsor gift. Meanwhile, the rest of the Career pack's been savaged by massive snake muttations, all but the girl from 4 dying. He eventually leaves his cave, and ends up barely avoiding a landslide that kills the pair from 3 and the boy from 5, leaving just him and the girl from 4.
They meet at the Cornucopia. She's got all the weapons, whilst he's got nothing but the singed clothes on his back. She throws a trident at him, and he trips on a rock whilst running, avoiding his death. She chases him along the cliffside, and another landslide begins. Cris' uneven footing saves him as he falls into a small hole, whilst she's swept away to her death.
"And that is a perfect example of the lucky idiot strategy, excellently demonstrated by your brother," Mom says, turning the television off, "It's one; the reapings are in an hour," I walk to the front hall and grab my shoes. I'm pumped for the Games now. I open the door, it's another beautiful day. The streets are decorated with banners and ribbons, and already people are beginning to party. I walk down the road, out of the village, to Topaz's house. She opens the door to greet me, and I must say, she looks beautiful. Her blue dress matches her eyes perfectly, and I can't help but stare.
"Come on Eb, you're acting like you've never seen me looking so fabulous. You saw it last year as well," she playfully punches my shoulder, and we make our way down to the central plaza. She joins the girls' queue, and I join the males'.
"Next," the woman says, and I hand her my finger. She pricks it, and takes the blood sample, "Ebony Amaranth, you may proceed,"
I join the 18 year old section as it fills up. Several guys come up to me. and congratulate me on making the cut this year. Our attention is redirected to the mayor, who introduces our escort. I groan as I see her get up this year. Not only has the rainbow thrown up on her, she's in a unicorn suit. I have to touch that hand, hoof, thing.
"Welcome to the 68th annual Hunger Games!" the crowd erupts in applause, "And may the odds be ever in your favour! Now before we choose our lucky young man and woman, we have a very special film for you, all the way from the Capitol!" she makes a weird sound, like a cross between a squeal and a giggle. The film begins to play, projected from behind us. It's about the history of Panem, and how the Hunger Games came to be. I let out a yawn. it's called history for a reason. After the mind numbing film ends, she skips to the first glass ball.
"Ladies first!" she dips her hand into the glass ball, and pulls out a slip. She reads the name, but I don't listen. This girl won't be going into the arena with me. As if on cue, this year's female representative volunteers, and she introduces herself as Emerald Glitters. So dad was right.
"And now, for the gents!" she reaches her hoof hand into the bowl, and calls out a name. This is it.
"I volunteer as tribute for the 68th annual Hunger Games!" I announce, and stride to the stage. Everyone erupts in applause as I stand on the stage, waving to the crowd.
"My, my. Aren't you the most enthusiastic thing I've ever seen!" she motions to Emerald, and I stick my hand forward. This simple act sends the crowd into a frenzy as they chant our names. Rainbow unicorn over there herds us off the stage, and into the justice building for our goodbye hour.
The room's as fancy as home, but much more cramped, and I feel as if I'm being suffocated in velvet. After a few minutes, mom and dad come in.
"Now, we have a half hour. Here's some key advice. Don't fight the stylists, just let them dress you in their hideous outfits; the Capitol loves that. Now at the Cornucopia, head for the weapons and food and kill anything that moves. Be sure to be in the Career pack, but leave if things start turning nasty. Always keep a bag full of food and knives with you in case you have to ditch at any time. And most importantly, don't do anything stupid," she gives me a brisk hug before the Peacekeepers escort them out. I'm left alone for a moment before Topaz comes in. She wraps her arms around me.
"Why so emotional? I'm not gonna die, I was voted the best for a reason," I say, but she doesn't let go.
"Just know that I," she pauses for a moment, "I want you to be careful. Don't take any chances. If it looks risky, don't risk it," she lets go of me. before pressing her lips to mine. My entire body goes weak, before being overcome with a deep lust for more. I kiss back, harder. After a few more moments, we break off.
"What was-" she places her finger on my lips.
"Come home," she walks out of the door. I'm left dazed. What was that? I didn't know she felt that way about me. I now wonder if she deliberately lost to Emerald so she wouldn't have to face entering an arena where only one comes out with me. The door opens, and for a moment I hope it's Topaz, but it's just the Peacekeeper telling me the train's ready. I walk out and see Emerald, her grey eyes fixated on something in the distance. We're brought to a car, where our eyesore of an escort waits.
"You are just going to love the Capitol! If you think your district is grand, wait until you see the Capitol! Solid gold buildings, the finest food, infinite outfits at your disposal," she drones on about every last sparkly detail of the Capitol, and I block her out, looking as the town grows distant.
We finally arrive at the train station, and camera crews swarm us. I flash smiles whilst a burly Peacekeeper clears a path for us. As I step on the train, one thought enters my head.
The Capitol, here I come!
Emerald Glitters, 18, District 1
I check the clock. Midnight. Perfect. I peer out of my window. The guard's dozed off. I slip my shoes on, and creep out of my room. At this time of night, everyone in the training academy's asleep. I reach the end of the hall, at the top of the stairs. They're too creaky. Instead, I grab the banister, and vault over. I land the fall on my feet, making virtually no sound. I climb out of the window, and land outside the back of the academy. I slink past the training equipment, trying to not set the alarm off. Success. I climb over the fence, and land in the field. He should be here tonight.
"Amber," I call softly, "Amber, come out. I brought a snack," a small white fluffy head emerges from the bushes. I hold out the bag of vegetables from dinner, and pour the contents onto the grass. Cautiously, he investigates it before happily munching away.
"I'm gonna be in the Hunger Games," I say to him. I know he won't respond, but it's good to pour your heart out to something, "I may not come back." he finishes the last of the vegetables, then curls up, concealed by my long dark hair. I begin to lightly stroke him. I was selected to be this year's female tribute for the Games. It makes sense, since I've been in training all my life.
When I was still a baby, my parents abandoned me on the doorstep of the Career training academy, and the head trainer, Quartz, found me there, in a basket, rain pouring down. I nearly died of hypothermia. Since she was clueless as to what to do with me, Quartz took me in as her personal protégé. However, since the minimum age for training is ten, I was left to my own devices pretty much. That was how I discovered this little field. I spent every day there, feeding the little animals leftovers from dinner. Of course, Quartz knew I was sneaking off, and had to keep me indoors for most of the day. This was when I developed an interest in the Hunger Games. I used to watch the tribute tournament that decides the male and female for that year's Games. Usually, our academy doesn't end up sending a tribute most years, but when they do, it's common knowledge that a tribute from the private academy always ends up becoming a victor. This is due to the advantage District 1 has over the other powerhouse district, 2. They're all muscle, whilst we're trained in both brains and brawn. But I don't think I'm going to be instanty recognised as a victor, since in the semifinals of the tournament, my opponent allowed me to win.
The whole match she was overpowering me, and almost getting the winning strike, until the crowd began to discuss the male tribute, the only member of that familiy that isn't a victor. I guess that puts us in the same spot; we're both continuing the legacies, a family that consists of victors, and an academy that always submits a victor. So after this information was announced, she just gave up, and let me dominate her. I'm guessing that she had a connection to the boy, probably her training partner. That's why the academy assigns same sex partners, so you'll never have to face them in the arena. Another reason why we're victor material; we won't ever worry about having any attatchment to our district partner. This weakness has actually managed to destroy our chances of winning in a few Games; one gets mortally wounded, the other stays with them until they die, then they're killed by a weaker tribute. That happened last year, the girl held the boy until he died, and she was wiped out by that boy from 2 who'd gone off the deep end. He won.
I see the sun beginning to poke out from the horizon.
"I gotta go Amber, I'll see you soon," I stand up, and the bunny scampers into the bush again. I sneak back over the fence, through the empty assault course, and back through the window. I silently move to the staircase, and climb the banister back upstairs. I creep along the hall, and back into my room. I check the clock, 5:30. I still have a couple of hours before I have to wake up. I slide under the covers, trying to get an extra couple of hours of sleep. It feels like I've just blinked when Quartz walks in.
"Emerald, it's nine. We're gonna be late for the reapings, and some other girl's gonna take your spot as tribute," she's right. No one's going to be volunteering besides me and that other guy. His last name's a type of cooking ingredient or something. I crawl out of bed, and get ready for the reaping. I choose an emerald green dress, which shimmers when caught in the sun. I do my hair in an elegant braid, and I apply some makeup; some eyeliner and a hint of blusher. This is the most beautiful I've ever looked for a reaping. I go downstairs, to the dining hall. Almost everyone cheers as I enter; it's been ten years since the academy's submitted a tribute. I quickly eat my breakfast, trying to avoid the incessant congratulations. You won't be cheering if I die in the Games, will you?
I leave the table, and head out into the garden. I think about how I'll play the Games. I'll definitely be in the Career pack, and I'll survive off the food found in the Cornucopia. I can't hunt though; it fills me with a deep guilt, like I've slaughtered a baby. The animals won't be trying to kill us, so I see no reason to kill them. I really have problems with killing weak and defenseless things, I hope we don't have any kids this year. I don't have it in me. But the rest of the world doesn't know that. Hopefully I create enough of an impression to scare the younger ones away from me. Someone approaches. It's my training partner, Glisten.
"Em, we're going to the reaping," she says, smoothing her white dress. I follow her out of the front gate, and we begin to walk to the central plaza.
I'd forgotten how beautiful District 1 is. Everything's so well kept, and the streets are full of celebratory decorations. I see one household release 68 balloons into the sky. The festive spirit is overwhelming. I remember watching the reapings from the other districts. District 2 also throws festivities, but the poorer families tend not to, since they don't have a confirmed system for volunteers. District 4, the other Career district, also celebrates, but they're the poorest Career district. In the other districts, there's a constant air of depression at the reapings. I don't understand why they don't train their kids like us, then maybe they wouldn't lose innocent children. We reach the back of the girls' queue, and we wait to be signed in. I see people laughing and cheering. In just under an hour, they'll be cheering my name. This puts a grin on my face.
"Next," the woman at the desk says, and I hand her my finger. She pricks it, and lets me through. I wait for Glisten to be signed in, and she joins me in the 18 year old section. After about half an hour of signing in, the mayor steps on stage, and introduces our escort. Everyone collectively groans at her newest design. She looks like she was dunked head first into a rainbow wearing a horse outfit. It's rather horrifying.
"Welcome to the 68th annual Hunger Games!" she does a little twirl, "And may the odds be ever in your favour! Now before we meet our lucky representatives, we have a very special film for you from the Capitol!" Great, two hours of history. the film begins. It's essentially President Snow talking over footage from the history of Panem. Finally, the film ends, and the milticoloured fashion disaster skips over to the girls' reaping ball.
"Ladies first!" she calls out the girl's name, but she doesn't surface. I make my way to the clearing between the two groups and call out.
"I volunteer as tribute for the 68th annual Hunger Games!" the crowd expodes with applause as I mount the stage.
"What's your name, dear?" The escort asks.
"Emerald Glitters," I reply, and the crowd starts cheering. I let out a sly grin.
"Well, let's save some excitement for the boys, shall we?" she bounces over to the males', and calls his name out. Instantly, a volunteer steps up, a tall, lean boy with dark hair and pitch black eyes. He announces his name, Ebony Amaranth, and the crowd chants our names as we're taken to the justice building.
The room is like a plushy version of my bedroom, but with a sofa instead of a bed. I look at myself in the mirror. I'm still smiling. The door opens, and Glisten comes in, and hugs me.
"Congratulations, Em! You did it,"
"Thanks," I reply with equal enthusiasm.
"Oh, that reminds me!" she reaches into her pocket and pulls something out, "I thought you might like a district token," she holds out a small box for me. I take it, and open it. Inside is a ring, with an emerald encrusted into it.
"It's beautiful," I say, and slip it on, "See you when I get back,"
"Yeah," she hugs me again, and leaves. I look at the ring. It's the nicest gift I've ever received. The door opens again, and a burly Peacekeeper walks in.
"The train's ready," I get up, and follow him out. I begin to think about my plans as I'm taken to the car. Join the Careers, avoid hunting, stay alive.
Our escort pulls me into the car, and begins blabbing on about how marvellous the Capitol is. I ignore her rambling, and look forward as the train station comes into view. Once we arrive, we step out of the car, and cameras flash everywhere. The same Peacekeeper from the justice building clears a path for us, and I climb onto the platform, looking at the shimmering train. It's huge, and no doubt luxurious. I can't wait to get to the Capitol.
