Platinum Tylon, D1
Platinum grabbed his gear and made his way out of the academy. The trainers had been working him extra hard for the past couple of weeks, now that he'd been chosen to represent his district. Also, it was probably because his father had paid them off. Sometimes it paid being the Mayor's son. His muscles might ache now, but it would pay off once he was a Victor. One's glory had been stolen last year, when District Two had won, but Platinum was here to reclaim that honor.
"Hey! You gonna wait up for me, Plat?" called Star, running to catch up with Platinum. She jokingly slung her own bag of gear over his shoulder.
"Really? That's really necessary, Star?" laughed Platinum.
"No, not really. I just didn't want to carry it, and since you're such a gentleman and whatnot…" She laughed. "But either way. You'll need to stop carrying that stuff for when the Peacekeepers get here tomorrow. They'll get suspicious."
"Don't worry. I'll leave my gear at home and use the stuff they provide for training. But just this once. When I get back, you'll have to deal with me as your trainer. I'm going to make sure you're ready for the Games next year."
"Best friends with one of the trainers? Hmm, will that earn me a vote for one of the slots?" She asked, smiling.
"You're already the best girl here. I don't know how Bliss managed to beat you out. Either way, you won't need any nepotism from me. All the trainers will vote for you."
"They had better. Next year is my last chance, and I already missed the Quell."
Platinum looked at her. "I'm kinda glad you did, Star. We didn't fare so well in the Quell. Why do you think they've been working Bliss and I to the bone. They want to ensure that we're the strongest ones there."
"And you will be. No doubt in my mind. Just make sure that's it's you that comes home. No offense to Bliss, but I hardly know the girl, an you're my best friend." Platinum saw that they were almost to her house, just outside of the Village. He hated saying goodbye to her this soon each day. When they got to her door, Star offered to take his gear and stow it away for a little bit, while the Peacekeepers swarmed the district for the Reaping. He handed her his gear, which she quickly passed off to her brother, standing in the doorway waiting for her. Platinum waved goodbye to the girl and started his walk back to the center of One. Sometimes he wished the Mayor's house was just less of a walk from the Academy, since at the end of every session his legs felt as if they were going to fall off.
When he got home, he was glad to see a warm bath waiting for him. He stripped down and climbed in to soak. The water was a bit too hot, but it felt good on his aching muscles.
After spending far too much time submerged in the now room temperature water, Platinum retired to his room for the night. His father had a special reaping outfit prepared, knowing that his son was going to become a Victor soon. Now he just had to wait out the next twelve hours until morning.
Bliss Lumenis, D1
"Flick! C'mon. Can't be late for the Reaping!" called Bliss from the doorway. She couldn't help but feel a little anxious today. She'd been working her ass off for the past year, and her hard work had paid off. The trainers had chosen her to volunteer this year for the games. Flicker came out of his room off to the side, his mother walking after him, trying to fix his collar. He'd never been one to appreciate the nice clothes they got to wear on Reaping day. Her cousin would much rather wear his training clothes all the time. Plus, he wasn't happy about losing his last chance to compete to the Mayor's son.
Honestly, Bliss was glad that Flicker wasn't going to the arena this year. Only one Victor could come from these games. Last year's double victor rule was an anomaly that seemed to only have gone into affect because it was a Quell. Bliss didn't want to lose another cousin to the games.
She thought of Shine, her cousin who'd competed last year, and how she'd died so early on, and not even at the hands of another tribute, which was the honorable way for a Career to go. Flicker had been a wreck after losing his older sister, and he'd wanted to finish what she started. A Lumenis family Victory. Lucky for him, Bliss would now be able to do that.
At the town square, Bliss could feel the excitement in her stomach. She felt a little jittery, which always happened when she was anxious, but she quickly composed herself as she checked in. She left Flicker at the aisle and took her place among the other sixteen year olds. Most of them had that same nervous expression on their face. Despite the fact that One had always been able to provide enough Careers, some people still looked completely terrified on this day. Terrified of what? They were all fine. Bliss looked around, easily able to pick out the others that she had trained with at the Academy. They either held themselves high, knowing they could handle the games, or stood there, shoulders slumped, knowing it wasn't their turn to volunteer. She caught sight of the Mayor's son, Platinum, standing near the front with the oldest group of boys. It wasn't fair, how he had received extra training sessions just because of who his father was. Bliss wasn't a huge fan of his.
"Welcome, everyone!" announced Moria, as she strode out onto the stage. Bliss looked up, following her path to the microphone stationed at the center Podium. She saw the Mayor and One's past victors file onto the stage as well, taking their seats at the back. Bliss recognized Kari, the most recent Victor. They'd been at the Academy together, for a short while, before she'd been chosen to compete. Her brother, Cassio, had survived the longest from One last year before being killed by a monstrous boy from Two. Kari still looked sad.
Moria introduced the Mayor, who quickly gave the annual reading of the Treaty of Treason. At the point, Bliss felt she could recite it in her sleep. The Mayor then offered the microphone back to Moria.
"Let's begin with the ladies, shall we?" She said in her silly accent. Moria walked over to the giant glass ball to her right, and dug deep for a slip of paper. She unfolded it as she walked. "Our first tribute for the 101st Hunger Games, representing District One for the girls, is….". Bliss held her breath. "Lea Pince!"
"I volunteer!" Shouted Bliss. She pushed her way from her section. She shouldered the girl she took to be Lea, who'd been standing in the aisle, back into her section at the front of the crowd. Moria offered a hand to her, and she accepted it as she took the stage.
"A volunteer! How wonderful. What is your name, dearie?" asked the crazy Capitol woman.
"My name is Bliss Lumenis." Bliss heard the muffled claps throughout the crowd. They came tom those who appreciated the Academy and what it did for the Citzens of One. Moria ushered her to stand to the side while she Reaped the next tribute. Bliss' eyes found Platinum, who was watching her, also. She knew how the Reaping would play out from her.
Moria came back with the name of the tribute boy, the one that Platinum was going to volunteer for. She opened the paper, and held for what seemed to be dramatic effect.
"Our male tribute, representing District One is..oh my. Flicker Lumenis!" Bliss whipped around to see Flicker standing at the far edge of his section, eyes wide with both excitement and shock. Excitement that, for a moment, he'd been a tribute, and shock when he realized his dream would be short lived.
"I volunteer," said Platinum, who was now pushed up to the very front of his section, leaving little room between himself and the stage. Moria helped him up the stairs and brought him to stand by Bliss. As Moria asked his name, the crowd froze momentarily.
"My my, Mayor Tylon. What an honor this must be for the District. There you have tributes for District One. Bliss Lumenis and Platinum Tylon! Happy Hunger Games, and my the odds be ever in your favor." The ceremony concluded and Moria led Bliss and Platinum off stage, back into the Justice Building.
The Games had begun.
Here you are. The Reaping for District One. The beginning is going to be formatted similarly to the last story, but with less tributes, I can give more featured time to each individual, instead of a single paragraph. I hope you enjoyed this Reaping.
I still need more tributes. Submit if you want. If there aren't any submission when it comes time to write that Reaping, I'll just put a filler tribute in :)
There is a poll on my profile. Vote for which short story should come first (this will probably happen in April when I get out of school.)
Please review. I love hearing what your guys think of the story, especially with the Reapings, as they are your first glimpses of the tributes.
- Sarah
