A/N: Thank you to Guest AnnaBanana for these amazing tributes!
Enjoy!
Chapter 1 – District 1
Coin Quinneton's POV
"Good morning, Mom," I say, crossing the expansive living room. My mother, Velvet, is in the kitchens, making breakfast for my twin brother and I.
"Hello, Coin," she replies as I enter the kitchen. "How are you today?"
I shrug. "Okay, I guess. It is Reaping Day, after all."
At this moment, my father, Luxury, opens the back door. A warm draft of summer air washes over me, suddenly disappearing as the door closes.
Dad ruffles my blonde hair affectionately. "You're going to do fine, honey."
I shrug again. "Maybe." I twirl a strand of hair around my finger, admiring the silver tips. They sparkle and shine, just smallest bit of Capitol in my life.
While I've been thinking about my hair, my father has continued gushing about Cash and I's chances of winning the Games. After all, our older brother, Money, did win them a few years ago. Ever since, both Cash and me have been motivated to win the Games. However, there's always been an apprehension in both of us. Firstly, Cash has always had an aversion to killing, which is a bit of problem for a Career. Me, on the other hand? Well, it's something that my trainers at the Academy always hated: I'm too nice.
Maybe in six years, I won't be so nice. Maybe after six years of training, I would have hardened. Except I'll never get the chance to be more like a Career, because of this ridiculous Quell twist. In six years, maybe I would be more like a Career. However, I'm not now. Not at twelve years old.
And maybe in six years, Cash would have gotten over his fear of killing. Maybe in six years, we would be victors. But right now? Right now, I don't like our chances.
Dad seems to have noticed my distress, and he looks directly into my blue eyes.
"Coin," he says. "You'll be up against a bunch of untrained twelve-year-old's. You've got better chances than almost all of them." He leans closer to my head and whispers in my ear, "And I like your chances better than Cash's."
I take a step back, surprised. "How?" I splutter. Yeah, he's worried about killing, but he'll get over that in the Games. Everyone kills when the time comes, including Cash. Including me. Including everyone who is about to be Reaped, all across Panem.
"I have to go get ready," I say suddenly, leaving the room in a flash. But before I can get to my room and actually get ready, my amazing brother, Money, Victor of the 94th Hunger Games, corners me.
"So, Coin," he says. "You and Cash are going to volunteer today."
"Uh, yeah," I say quietly. "But before I can do that, I have to get ready."
"I can't wait to have another Victor in the family," Money says. I wonder which one of us he's talking about. Which one does he want to win? He can only bring home one of us. "As you know, I'll be mentoring you and Cash."
I nod.
"And, I can only choose one of you to bring home."
Beat.
"And, I want to chose you."
Beat.
"Y-you do?" I say, confused. "B-but… Cash."
"When he's 18, maybe," Money says with a shrug. "But right now? He can't even think about killing. That's not what a Career should be like."
"I don't care if it's what a Career should be like!" I cry. "Cash… Cash deserves it more than me!"
"You know," Money says amicably. "Cash reacted the same way. Begging for me to save you, so I decided I would. You have better chances, anyway."
I huff and push past Money. Your average Career would be excited that their mentors were going to try and bring them home, but I'm not an average Career! I care about Cash more than I care about myself!
Still fuming, I begin to get ready the Reaping. I push the thought of having to volunteer from my mind as I put on a lilac dress. It's a bit tight on my athletic figure, but I don't mind.
I decide to put my hair up in a bun, my silver ends interspersed with the blonde. When I at last deem myself presentable, I leave the bathroom and nearly bowl Cash right over. I am almost an inch taller than him, and it has always bothered him. I don't mock him over it, though. I know what bothers him, and I don't want a repeat of the last time I made fun of him. I still have a scar from it.
"Hey, Coin," Cash says, brushing off the front of his pants. "Ready for the Reaping?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," I reply, extending a hand to help him up. He doesn't take it.
We go downstairs together. The rest of our family is gathered in the Living Room. Mother, Father, Money, and my final sibling, Dollar. Dollar has been bitter about everything after coming second to volunteer. He's bitter toward us, too, seeing as we were chosen to volunteer and we're only twelve.
He doesn't say anything as we leave our home in the Victors' Village, even though the rest of us are talking. He's past Reaping age, of course, and is seething over not going into the Games. Actually, I think he's kind of lucky. But at the same time, I want to win. However, we already have one Victor, and sometimes Money has nightmares about the Arena. It makes me more than a little apprehensive.
All too soon, we have arrived at the Square. Cash and I get our fingers pricked as our family disappear to the viewing area. Cash doesn't go anything as he goes to stand with the boys, and I don't either. I see Money go up on stage to sit with all of our other Victors. Pride swells in my chest at the thought of sitting up with them next year.
Our District escort, Clementina Pollacki, who is dressed in the stunning color of vomit green this year, flounces up to the stage and taps the microphone.
"Hello, District 1!" she cries. "Who's ready for another Hunger Games?"
The crowd goes wild, as always in 1. I, on the other hand, don't make a sound.
The video about the Dark Days plays, and I mouth the words along with it.
This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future.
Clementina claps her hands excitedly and shimmies over to the girls' ball. "Ladies first," she says. She dips a hand in and considers multiple slips, even though she has to know that someone (me) will volunteer for whoever she chooses. Just hurry up already!
At last, she picks a name. "Ahem," she says, tapping the microphone again. "Sapphire Walters."
Before the girl can even react, I step forward. "I volunteer as tribute." There's no hesitation in my voice.
Cash Quinneton's POV
I watch as Coin approaches the stage, a steely, determined look on her face. I just have to hope it won't come down to us. I won't be able to kill her. Well, I won't be able to kill anyone. It makes me sick just thinking about it.
"And what is your name?" Clementina, the ridiculous cow, asks sweetly.
"Coin Quinneton," my sister says confidently.
"Wonderful!" Clementina exclaims. "Now, for the boys."
She picks another name, much quicker than last time. "Silver Moon."
"I volunteer as tribute," I say firmly, already making my way to the stage.
"And you are?" Clementina asks, holding the microphone to my mouth.
"Cash Quinneton," I say, smirking.
Clementina glances between us for a moment. "Are you two related?"
"Oh, yes," Coin says. "We are twins. But I'm older."
I glare at her.
Clementina titters and says, "Twins! Wonderful!" She tells us to shake hands. "Your tribute from District 1, Coin Quinneton and Cash Quinneton!"
And then, we are swept into the Justice Building for goodbyes.
My first visitors are, of course, my family. Dollar hangs back, giving me a quick hug before retreating back to the corner.
Mother and Father assure me of my chances, of my abilities, that they're rooting for me, even though I don't need them to tell it to me. I have confidence in my abilities, too.
Money doesn't have to say goodbye, seeing as he is one of our mentors. He is here, though. "I'm proud of you, Cash," he says. He presses a small coin into the palm of my hand. "Your token."
I shove it in my pants pocket with a firm nod. And then they're all taken away by Peacekeepers, and I find myself missing them already. No matter. I'll see them again soon.
Then, all of my friends enter the room. Rich, Amber, Juniper, and Alexandra. They all congratulate me, hug me, tell me just how much I'm going to win, and I can't help but take their reassurances to heart. But all too soon, the Peacekeepers come to take them away, too.
When I am at last reunited with Coin, there is tension between us.
We are no longer siblings. We are enemies.
A/N: Aww, killing these guys is going to be so hard!
I'll see you when I've got my tributes from District 2!
