2/11/15
Hi again! So, I was supposed to update yesterday, but I was feeling lazy and I really don't have an excuse this time. I'm really, really sorry. And I'm also sorry for using the word "really" so much.
Thank you yellwocar1 for following.
Reviews:
Stellaslomp- Thanks! It was actually one of my favorite chapters to write. Mostly because I like writing Johanna's perspective when she's angry.
Lya200- I think it really says something about the priorities of humans. The Mockingjay was in danger, so they had to do something about it. Or maybe they were planning to bust the tributes out of the arena regardless, hoping that the fact that it was a Quarter Quell would have a greater effect on the rebellion. I can't decide which one sounds better, though.
Gabby Delacour- Not a problem for me, either. When people talk about getting headaches from going into Bath and Body Works, I honestly get slightly confused. The only thing I have against perfume is because I got sprayed in the eyes once when I was a kid. Still, I don't know if you've seen that episode or not, but it cracks me up every time.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games or anything else I may mention.
…..
Chapter Nine: Déjà vu
Today is the day that everything changes. Today, the rebellion will truly begin. From the moment that Eliza calls the name of District 1's male victor, to the moment that we bust out of the arena. Once again, I will play one of my famous ruses. I will be aloof and uncaring, even though the life of my friends, and ultimately my family, is on the line. I will show our "beloved" President Coriolanus Yellow Snow just how angry I am. And the best part? The first chance I get, I'll kill him.
I yawn and stretch out on my old and worn bed, pulling my blanket around me. I burry my head in my pillow and breath in its scent. I sneak my arm out of the blanket just long enough to grab the clock on my nightstand. It seems that I've slept in. No nightmares last night, either.
I put the clock back on the nightstand and force myself to get up. I take another wistful look around the room that was mine for the first 15 years of my life. It hasn't changed at all since then, except things are just a little dusty. Other than that, it's exactly the same.
I rub my eyes and make my bed. I then turn to the closet. I'm haven't really grown since then, so one of my old dresses should fit. I search the closet for a minute when something catches my eye. A little brown dress with black straps. The same dress I wore the day I was reaped.
I slip it on and tie the bow in the back. I take a long look in the mirror and smile. It still fits perfectly. Maple was wrong, I guess. Brown is my color.
I put on Mom's necklace and a pair of heels I brought from "home". Even though it's been a while since I actually lived here, this place will always be my real home. I'm brought out of my trance by a knock on the door. That's funny. I didn't think anyone knew I was here.
I walk down the stairs and open the door.
"Hey Jo-Jo," Blight says. Much to his surprise, I throw my arms around his neck and press my forehead to his shoulder.
"Today's the day," I mumble.
"You'll be okay," he reassures me. "You nervous?"
"For once, yes," I sigh. "But, you know, I'm an axe prodigy and a pretty good actor. That's gotta count for something, right?"
"Of course," Blight says. "Do you want to know the truth?"
I let go of him and nod my head. "What?" I ask.
"I'm scared too," Blight admits.
"You? Scared?" I scoff.
"You didn't think it was possible, did you?" Blight chuckles.
"No, not really," I say.
Blight smiles and messes up my hair. "Don't worry Jo. We'll be okay. You'll see."
"I hope you're right," I sigh. "Because I don't think President Snow will let that happen."
"Plutarch's the Head Gamemaker, remember? He won't send anything after us," Blight says.
"Snow will stop at nothing to make sure I'm dead. I'm one of the reasons he picked that card to begin with," I say.
Blight sighs. "Johanna, you know that I'll stop at nothing to keep you safe. So you can stop worrying."
"Right," I sigh. "Hey, Dad?"
"Yes Johanna?" Blight says.
"What do you think would've happened if, say, there was no rebellion? Do you think we'd still have to go back?" I ask.
"I really don't know," Blight says. "But even if we did, we'd figure something out. Start a rebellion of our own."
"Right," I say. I look at the time. "Come on, let's get to the square."
"Don't you need to eat or something?" Blight asks.
"Nah, I'll just eat that crappy Capitol food," I groan. "Come on, we need to go. Otherwise we'll be late."
Not that that would be a problem or anything. I'd do anything to be able to slap the Capitol in the face a couple extra times.
…
I feel some serious déjà vu right now. 9 years ago, I was at a reaping where I knew I would be picked, and I was prepared to act. Today, I'm at a reaping where I know I will be picked, and I'm still prepared to act. Weird, right?
I ascend the stairs on the stage and stand between Edward and Roland. "Look, we all know it's me. So let's save time and just not mess with it," I scoff.
"Well, in District 12 there's only Katniss for the females, and Angus is the only male in District 10. And isn't Mikkiena the only girl in District 5? I think they're still going to…"
Roland interrupts Edward. "Does it really matter? All of Panem knows that Johanna, Katniss, Angus, and Mikki are going in."
"Also, Ebenos is the only guy in 6," I say.
"The morphling?" Edward wrinkles his nose.
"If that's what you want to call him and Camille," I say, rolling my eyes despite the fact that I'm the one who came up with that nickname. "And it's just Seeder and Chaff left in 11. So I'm not sure why a lot of you guys are even bothering."
"She has a point," Roland says before turning to the audience to give a speech. Blah blah Dark Days, blah blah failed rebellion, blah blah Hunger Games. Same thing every year. It's getting really boring, actually. Someone should consider changing it.
I take my spot behind Pine's wheelchair, next to Blight. Roland finishes his speech filled of lies and turns the microphone over to Edward.
"Now, to reap the female tribute. Like we're supposed to," he says, glaring at me with his three glowing red eyes. I make a fake gagging noise.
He walks over to the girl's bowl, and just like last time I automatically know whose name he's going to call.
"Oh boy, I wonder who it's gonna be?" I yell sarcastically. Edward flinches, but continues as normal.
"Well isn't this a surprise," he says mockingly. "Johanna Mason."
I scoff and leave the boys for a moment. "Holy crap, it's me! I bet none of us were expecting that, huh? Plot twist, jerks!"
Edward ignores my ramblings and walks over to the boys' bowl. "Pine Larkforest."
"I volunteer as tribute," Blight says emotionlessly. He leaves Pine and stands next to me.
"Well look at that," Edward sneers. "It seems that once again Blight Mason has volunteered. Let us give both of our tributes a warm round of applause!"
Edward is greeted with silence. Maybe District 7 has some sense after all.
….
"Alright kids, I want you to pay close attention to the reapings," Pine says, keeping a close eye on Edward. "That way you know who you're up against. Maybe I can get one of you home on the train instead of a wooden coffin.
We wait for Edward to leave before we start. "Okay," Blight says. "Let's see our allies."
I reluctantly turn on the TV and we watch the reapings. I have a mini heart attack when I see that Gloss and Cashmere are reaped, with Bubble and Velvet as the mentors. Blight has to pause it so I can regain my composure. Once I have, we promise to save all of our over-reacting for the end of the video.
From District 2, Enobaria is reaped while Brutus volunteers for Achilles. Cirra and Lyme are chosen to mentor. Nuts and Volts are reaped in District 3, with all three of the remaining victors (Aria, Joshua, and Binary) to share mentoring duty.
In District 4, Finnick and Annie are reaped, but Mags volunteers for poor little Annie. I remember Finnick mentioning a meeting between the victors of District 1 and 4, where they decided that no one would volunteer. Mags must have missed the meeting though, and Annie's probably either feeling guilty or grateful. Probably both. This won't stop her from helping Kai mentor, though. Charlemagne and Mikkiena are reaped in District 5, leaving only Ceratos to mentor.
The "Morphlings", Camille and Ebenos, are chosen in District 6. Again, this only leaves one person, Kyva, for mentoring duty. We skip ahead to District 8's reaping. It's Cecelia and Woof, which leaves Violet and Crimson to mentor. In District 9, Eve and Rye are chosen, and of course that leaves Savannah and Barley as the mentors.
In District 10, unsurprisingly, Shey and Angus are reaped, thus putting two father-daughter duos in this year's Games. The only other living victor, Aries, is left to mentor. Obviously Seeder and Chaff are picked for District 11, and since they're the only two left, they don't even get a mentor.
And then it's time for District 12. Katniss is reaped. Haymitch is reaped. Peeta volunteers. District 12 salutes them. And then they're dragged off to the train without being able to say their goodbyes.
At least they had people to say goodbye to.
…
I'm just a liiiitle bit hyper right now because I'm eating Rolos, so sorry if my author notes are too long. Just feel lucky that I didn't eat more gobstoppers (for those of you who didn't read the first fic/don't remember this, those things make me extremely hyper. Like, I kid you not I bounce off the walls. And to top it all off I still have half a box in my candy stash.…)
On that frightening revelation, here's the quote of the day!
"You can't make everyone happy! You're not a jar of Nutella!" –someone on Tumblr
May the odds be ever in your favor,
Spectrobes Princess
