"Hey Lizzy, can you pass me the green wool?" Elizaveta reached across the table and retrieved the wool for her younger brother, smiling genuinely. He was amazing at sewing, and made most of the family's clothes; with Elizaveta's help. He was currently making a green scarf for Gilbert, as his birthday was coming up soon. That's not the only thing coming up soon. Elizaveta thought. The annual Hunger Games were to start in a few months, with the reaping being 1 month away. Two teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 were chosen to go into battle with two teenagers from each of the other Provinces. There being seven Provinces, 14 people were forced to fight to the death for the Capitol's enjoyment; as if the Capitol were saying "We're in charge, don't forget it."
Those unfortunate enough not to have food could get extra rations by entering their name in the big mixing bowl that was used to choose each candidate for the reaping. Elizaveta had her name in the bowl 42 times. 5 times was for the annual requirement, and she'd been putting her name in the bowl for 5 years; extra every time they needed more grain or beans. Feliciano had his name in the bowl once, because he just turned 12 a few months back and every time the family needed extra ration, Elizaveta would never let her younger sibling enter more than required and insist putting her name in instead.
I wonder who's going to be picked this year. It was the 74th year of the Hunger Games, and next year would be the Quarter Quell; an ''anniversary'' where the Capitol would do something cruel and twice as difficult for all the candidates. On the 25th year, four candidates instead of two from each Province were chosen. Elizaveta shuddered. She always hated thinking about the Games, but it was inevitable; when the Capitol made sure no one forgot about them. She instead focused on her own project.
Looking down, her oak arrow shafts were lying neatly in a pile from where she carved them. Elizaveta made her own arrows, not only because it was cheaper, but she liked doing it. She picked up a shaft and began crafting the silver tips she had bought to make new arrows. She had gone through nearly the whole pile of shafts when she glanced at the clock on the kitchen stove. It was almost lunchtime, and they had been working for a few hours. Sighing, Elizaveta stood up from her chair and walked over to the cabinets.
"Feli, do you want me to make lunch this time?" She started pulling out the dried beef and bread stored in plastic containers when she heard no reply. Elizaveta turned around with the bread in her hands, and eyed her brother curiously. He had fallen asleep. His head was resting on the table, auburn hair splayed across his face and cherry lips exhaling quiet snores. She smiled at him and resumed making lunch for herself, making sure to leave some out for Feliciano. Satisfied with her beef sandwich, she left the kitchen and grabbed her coat; the one that used to be her mothers. Elizaveta returned to the kitchen table and smoothed Feliciano's hair out of the way and gently kissed his forehead. He lazily opened one eye and gave her a small smile. She picked up his sewing needle and the scarf from his lap, and set them atop the table for later. Elizaveta then opened the front door and walked outside, closing it behind her.
Gilbert's house wasn't very far from hers, and they often visited each other every other day, when they weren't hunting. She spotted Henri in the front yard planting some sort of seeds; he looked up and waved at her. She returned the gesture, and he stood up, walking down their gravely drive to meet her.
"Are you looking for Gilly? He's around back with Luddy. Heddy's in the washroom, father is at work, and I'm right here!" Henri grinned and giggled, blushing slightly. He was the youngest of the Beilshmidt's, and with an attitude similar to Feliciano's. Though he was 5 years younger than Feliciano, they both loved to play together. Henri had a habit for shortening everyone's name and ending it with a 'y'. He was rather shy, though, and will only talk to people he can trust. Elizaveta didn't like that he lets everyone boss him around, but he had insisted it was fine.
He shook his golden blond curls and grabbed Elizaveta's hand, tugging her towards where he said the eldest of the four were. She followed obediently, and was already able to hear Gilbert's snarky tone emerge from the backyard.
"Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try, wuss!" Gilbert pointed a finger at his younger brother, who was standing on the ground below him. Gilbert was hanging onto a high tree branch with his other hand, dangling from said limb.
"Just because I'm able to do something like that, doesn't mean I'll do it. It's stupid and dangerous." Ludwig replied with an edge to his voice, turning his back on his brother. He spotted Elizaveta and Henri immediately, and nodded once towards them.
Gilbert followed where Ludwig was looking and saw Elizaveta and Henri emerge from the path leading around the house. He waved with his right hand, but forgot it was all he had holding onto the tree, and fell to the ground. It was at least an 8 foot drop, and Gilbert landed on his side with a thump.
"Jeebus Gil, are you alright?" Elizaveta ran to his aide, helping him stand. He just groaned in response, but his eyes held laughter. Gilbert was always making stupid mistakes, and he never took much of anything seriously. She wrapped an arm around his waist and lifted him up. Gilbert was immensely strong, hence being able to hold onto a tree limb with one hand; but he was also lean enough for Elizaveta to support him. Ludwig had apparently followed her, and gently nudged her aside. She stepped back as Ludwig hoisted Gilbert over his back, and carried him across the yard.
"Ow, bruder! My side, you idiot! Let me down!" Gilbert beat his fist against Ludwig's back, but to no avail.
"You'll be alright." Ludwig replied with a smirk as he dropped Gilbert off at the picnic table. Gilbert brushed himself off and held onto his left side, complaining to his brother about the pain. Elizaveta visibly face-palmed and took a place at the table across from Gilbert. The newly spring air wasn't as cold as yesterday, but still cold enough that everyone was wearing coats. Henri jumped on top of the able and sat down, resting his feet of the wooden seat and pushing up his glasses.
The back door opened with Hedvika walking out, basket of clothes in her hands. She glanced suspiciously at the group before setting down her basket near them and began to hang the wet cloth on the clothes line.
Hedvika never really spoke to Elizaveta, but she guessed their friendship was mutual; considering Hedvika was a collective girl most of the time. Elizaveta respected her sense of humor, though, as she did know how to come out of her shell. Her mother dying must have been the hardest on her, as they were close and now she was the only girl in the family. It's the same way with Elizaveta herself, but Hedvika being the same age as Feliciano; it could only be harder to grow up. Her brothers make sure to be kind to her, and she respects them all though she'd never say it aloud; especially Gilbert.
Elizaveta waved to her, sending her a small smile. Hedvika nodded in a way similar to Ludwig's, and continued to hang up the laundry. Her shoulder-length honey blond hair whipped in her face from the lazy wind and she stopped momentarily, tying it up with a purple ribbon she had retrieved from her pocket.
The four of them eventually were in a heated conversation about beer, Elizaveta on Ludwig's side while Henri stayed neutral and complained why he wasn't allowed to have any yet. Hedvika had finished her laundry and announced that she was going over Thor's house, likely to hang out with him and Milos; her two best friends. She had been in a relationship with Milos in the past, when they had just recently met. But after their break-up, Hedvika has been a bit more tolerable with him and they became better friends. Thor and Hedvika like to mess with Milos; as Elizaveta had witnessed on a few occasions. Elizaveta liked the thought of Hedvika being able to be herself and loosen up around her friends; similar to the way Elizaveta can when she's with Gilbert.
"It's getting late Gilbert, and you're not going to win anyway. Let's all go inside before the wind starts picking up." Ludwig announced and he stood up from the picnic table. Looking at the sky, Elizaveta guessed it was around 4 in the afternoon. She got up from the table as well and waited for Henri as he jumped off, and followed Ludwig for the door; leaving Gilbert sitting on the table alone.
"W-Wait up, guys!" Gilbert stumbled after them, and ran past Elizaveta, holding the door open for her after Ludwig had gone inside. She stuck her tongue out at him and he grinned.
Ludwig was in the kitchen grabbing three beer glasses for them. Henri joined him and grabbed his own glass of apple juice and sat down at the old wooden table to the left of the kitchen. There were few lights in the Beilshmidt house, for they liked it dim and cozy. Gilbert grabbed a glass from Ludwig and sat himself down on the couch in the living room, stretching his legs across it and chugging his beer. He was halfway done the glass when he gasped for air, and sighed satisfyingly. Ludwig handed Elizaveta a beer and she thanked him quickly before crossing over to Gilbert and sitting on his legs, which caused him to squeak in pain.
"Lizzy, don't you know it hurts when you sit on people's knees?" That earned him a smack on the head, which he apologized with a 'I didn't mean you were fat or anything!'. The rest of the night consisted of the three of them talking and gossiping about the town; what they usually did on a lazy day. Henri had been working on his homework the whole time, being somewhat of a workaholic; always wanting to do things.
Elizaveta checked the time; It was almost 7 at night. She stood up off of Gilbert, and announced that she should be getting back to Feliciano.
"Have a good night, Elizaveta." Ludwig said his goodbye and took a swig of his beer. Gilbert gasped and frantically waved at her, then jumping up to crush her into a one-armed hug. Elizaveta stuttered and pushed him off of her.
"Gil, your beer will spill all over me! Jeebus, don't hug me so tight next time." She brushed herself off and sent a scowl towards him. Gilbert smiled nervously and scratched his head before setting his glass down on the end-table next to the couch.
"Right then, bye Lizzy! I'll see ya later." Gilbert patted her hard on the back and she picked up her coat from the rack, pulling it on and stepping out the back door without looking back inside. She had stayed an hour later than she planned; but she hoped Feliciano would be fine by himself. Vaguely she wondered if he had eaten the lunch she left out for him, and if he had already made supper.
Reaching her front door, she jiggled the handle and was glad that Feliciano had locked it. She fiddled with her key before opening the door and stepping inside. She turned and shrugged off her coat, hanging it up on the rack.
"Feliciano, I'm home. You better not be still sleeping or-" Elizaveta inhaled sharply as she entered the kitchen and was welcomed with the wrong redhead. His hair was in a curly mess, eyebrows drawn closely together in thought, and was clad in a grey long-sleeve and a dark maroon robe. His eyes were tired and looking down, but he raised his head when he saw her. They made eye contact and Elizaveta narrowed her eyes while he closed his.
"Dad, what are you doing down here?"
Author's Note: Hey guys, for the record: Hedvika is Czech Republic, and Henri is Luxembourg. Thor is Svalbard, and Milos is Slovakia. I found their fan-names and I needed to add Prussia's siblings, because Gale has like a bazillion in the Hunger Games. I picked two close countries location wise, and here's the result. So I'm sorry if anything is historically incorrect, forgive me! On another note, I've been obsessed with PewDiePie lately. If you don't know him, he's a YouTube vlogger who records himself playing horror games, and is freaking hilarious. He also does regular blogs and stuff like that. I've also been busy with acceptance letters and competitions. I go to Dover on Wednesday for the BPA state competition. QuQ Ay carumba, so much is going on. But when I do have free time, I've chosen to be lazy and not update any of my fanfictions. Which is wrong, don't do that. I'm no role model. XD I keep making promises that I'm not keeping, so I can't say when I'll update again. But I assure you it won't be longer than a week before you hear of me again. :D Reviews on this one? Thanks!
