HEY! Well look at that, despite the crazy amount of work I've had to do, I've managed to get you the update on time! I hope you've all had a great week, the first one of February. I loved everyone's answers to the last question, my answer would be Johanna, because she is an awesome character!
Right, we are heading now to the last Career district, the home of the last two Victors from the Hunger Games, the gorgeous Finnick Odair and the suffering Aedan O'Hara from my previous SYOT! As usual, I don't own anything and thank you to TeamGlimmer for Twilight and xRuex for Rini!
Enjoy and do let me know what you think in the review box below!
Twilight Magnificence Fayning (18)
Where is that damn bottle? I need the bottle, my head hurts too much to be able to stand properly and I have to look my absolute best for the Reaping. I will show them, I will show my crazy brother that I am the one who should be going into the Games. Why should he have the honour when I am the one who has trained, I am the one who is universally loved by all? It is only right that the most famous and well loved person in the district, should have the honour of going into the Games. Eclipse is not fit for the Games, not yet.
Ah, there it is. I blink slightly as I try to walk over to where the beer is resting on the table in my room. My vision isn't the best at the moment, my head is spinning and I know it's the after-effects of what happened last night. Whatever happened last night? I don't remember most evenings and last night certainly wasn't any different.
"Well look who it is." I turn blindly to face Eclipse who is standing in the doorframe with a smirk on his face. "You are in no state to volunteer."
How dare he? How dare he think that I cannot volunteer? He has no idea what he is talking about! "Shut up you little maggot." I can hear my words slurring as I walk over to him, my gait a little more balanced as I grab him by the shoulders and slam him against the door frame. The wince that passes across his face is very satisfying, I would never wince. "I am fine, this is how I was every morning and I get through training just fine. So just shut up and let me volunteer, you can go into the Games next year."
Shrugging off my grasp, the little worm looks me up and down before his smirk grows even wider. Great, what is he going to try and pull this time? "Well then, if you want to volunteer, you better make sure you're actually dressed. I doubt the district want to see you volunteer completely stark naked with bed hair. That wouldn't go down at all well with the other tributes."
I'm what? Looking down, I notice that he is indeed right. I can't go out like this! Not when I'm the model for much of the Capitol! If I'm going back to the Capitol to represent my district and the Capitol, I need to look my best, I need to be pristine. "Get out of here then, go get yourself dressed. The Capitol cameras will be all over me, I must make sure I'm perfectly groomed. I'll be down in fifteen minutes at least."
Psh, it'll be twenty absolute minimum. Going over to my wardrobe, I grab the tuxedo I was wearing last night. It's still vaguely acceptable and as long as I brush it down, it'll be starch enough to look presentable. Slipping the crisp white shirt I had out already over my head, it doesn't take long to put the clothes on. Of course I look fabulous with them on and the headache is starting to go. See, it was no big deal. I am the king at partying; I can get absolutely smashed one night and then still be absolutely fine the next morning. Sitting down on the stool in front of my mirror, I grab the cream that I put in my hair. How else am I supposed to make sure I look my best? My hair in the mornings is horrific, tame it correctly and I become even more of a god than I know I am. Let's face it; none of the other tributes have a chance when it comes to facing me. They will all want to die so that I can win.
I can hear my parents gloating over Eclipse, my father certainly more than my mother, how proud they are that he is going to volunteer, how proud they are that there will be a Victor in the family. They know nothing, they will get two Victors in two years, no district has ever had four consecutive Victors. But that is what 4 is about, breaking the records. And I intend to do just that. Starting with letting my brother live another year and our siblings see two of us come home. It will be glorious. And I will be at the centre of it all.
Eirini 'Rini' Emerson (17)
Will this be the day I volunteer? I'm not sure; I just want to get out of here. I could do it; I could go and beat them all in the competition. Heck, I've been training for 12 years; it isn't exactly going to be difficult. Just 23 children who wouldn't be able to get home. And with me coming after them, they have no chance. I guess it all depends on who gets chosen. If it's someone I know, someone who can fight it out of there alive, I'll leave them to their job. If not, what's the bet it's going to be one of those 12 year olds too, perhaps that's the sign it's my year.
The road paved to the town square is crawling with people and it's rather curious to see who is nervous and who isn't. Those who I recognise from the training centre give me curt nods, those from the lower end of the district try to give me a wide berth. It isn't my fault I grew up as the mayor's daughter, it just kind of happened. I want to help them, but I know mother wouldn't approve. When I am mayor, there will be no poor people in the district. Mark my words.
"Rini!" The cry comes as I let my finger be pricked by the Peacekeeper.
I turn away to see Tessa running towards me, sucking her finger slightly to stem the bleeding. "Hey Tessa, you alright?"
She shrugs as she embraces me warmly. "No worse than usual." Grabbing my hand, she drags me towards the cordoned off area for the potential tributes. "Come on, or we'll miss the video."
Oh joy, the video we know far too well. I can't miss that. I can see mum sitting up on the platform and as the video starts to play once more, she gives me a curt nod. The escort's hand dives into the Reaping bowl just moments later and I inch closer, listening closely. "Our female tribute is Tessa Mackenzie!" No, no, not Tessa. Not sweet Tessa who has never trained a day in her life. I don't care if there are other people wanting to get up there, this is my year. The sign is there, I have to protect my friend.
Pushing past the girls in my group, most of who seem a little surprised that I'm volunteering this year, I brush against the 18 year olds who already have a slight head start on me. No, they will not get the chance. This is my time to shine. Elbowing one girl in the face, I deliver a quick roundhouse kick to another as the path starts to clear. There, there is the stage. Just two girls to get past and they are both taller than me. Sticking my foot out, I watch as the one girl stumbles and falls forward, catching the other and they both tumble down, falling fast against the steps. The path is clear, the path to helping them.
The escort offers me a sickly smile, it's actually disgusting just to be near, and offers me the microphone. "And who might you be sweetie?"
Really? Do we need the nicknames? I want to be seen as ruthless and able to take on whoever has the misfortune of facing me, not as a doll. Ugh. Forget about that, make the impression. "My name is Rini Emerson and I will bring District 4 back a Victor once more!"
There are a few cheers and I catch my father's eye in the crowd, a twinkle in his eye as he nods approvingly. The escort totters over to the boy's Reaping bowl and I bite my lip, hoping it isn't Hex or Roy. "Our male tribute is Amstel Paisley!" Yeah, don't recognise the name but the boy who steps out of the 15 year old section as a grim line of determination set on his face.
Immediately there is a rush of boys but one boy who seems to tower over the rest and saunters through catches me, brushing aside his competition. I don't like him; I really hope he isn't the one who gets through. Oh great. This should be fine. He grabs the microphone, his gait slightly wobbly. He isn't drunk is he? How unprofessional! "I'm Twilight Magnificence Fayning and I will make sure you ladies get a good deal of action in the arena."
He turns and winks at me. Wow, really? Not happening. Ever.
Twilight Magnificence Fayning (18)
I did it! I showed my family, my brother who is boss and now I am off to the Games! I cannot wait to see their reactions, they will be so proud of me! I mean look at my muscles, my good looks, my training, it's a winning combination that no one, girl or boy, will be able to resist. I am out of this district and to the Capitol, where I know I truly belong.
The headache has completely gone and my throat starts to tickle, I need to grab something to drink and quick. Or I'll get that annoying headache again. It isn't even a problem, its just annoying. The room I'm in is pretty nice, it's got a certain charm to it but of course it's nothing on the glory of the Capitol which of course I have had the joy of visiting because when you are a Fayning, that is the life that you are treated to.
"What the hell do you think you were doing?" And that would be my dear father bellowing as he enters the room. I lean against the back of the couch and smirk; it's almost amusing to see him when he is angry.
My mother, in all her glory and beauty, places an arm on my father's shoulder. She is the only one who can calm him. "Iri, sweetheart, don't be angry with Twilight. At least one of our boys is going into the Games."
He shrugs her off and glares at her. "Yes, but not the right one." Hey, Eclipse isn't ready; I'm saving him from dying here. As well as making sure that he has to live up to my expectations and glory. My father almost runs over and grabs me by the collar of my tuxedo, how dare he touch this beautiful handiwork. "You weren't supposed to volunteer, you're a drunkard and not fit to go into the Games."
Words, words, he's just sprouting nonsense. "Well neither is Eclipse, at least this way we will get two Fayning Victors. You don't know what you are talking about father, just because you missed out on volunteering for the Games."
His breathing is heavy but I've seen his temper too many times to be scared. Anyway, he's just trying to freak me out. And I am Twilight Magnificence Fayning, I cannot be freaked out. "Shut up. I am done with you Twilight. I hope that you die in those Games."
He drops me and I cannot help but stare in surprise. Okay, that I was not expecting. "Iridescence, you cannot say that to your own son!" There, there is my dear mother defending me, as she should.
He snorts. "He is a disgrace to the family name and disgusting. He has done nothing except drink alcohol, therefore ruining his body, sleep with too many girls to count and make a nuisance of himself at the academy which I was hoping would straighten him out." He looks at me right in the eye. "Make him more of a man." He stalks to the door. "You can spend the rest of your time with this piece of trash. I want nothing."
I, I don't even know what to say. Is what he said true? Of course the whole sleeping with girls is true, I mean every girl in the district wants a piece of me that I am more than willing to give. That doesn't make me anything other than generous. My father is jealous that he is bound by marriage and doesn't have the guts to break free of it.
"I don't care what you say." I shout as the door slams. He probably didn't hear me, but I don't need him. I don't need him at all. Of course I don't.
"Don't listen to a word that your father has just said." My mother approaches with a frown creased in her brow. She is worried about me, she doesn't need to be but I appreciate the sentiment. "You are loved by both of us, he is just worried for you."
I shake my head. "He doesn't need to be, I'll be back before you can miss me. I always come home eventually, don't I?"
She smiles slightly, and I've swayed her. "Of course you do, just be aware that there are others who are dangerous. The dangerous need to die as soon as possible. Come home to me Twilight."
Oh don't you worry, I will.
Eirini 'Rini' Emerson (17)
Come on, come on let's get this over and done with. I've said all the goodbyes, received all the extra tips that my father and brothers could impart on me and I've got them all stored in the back of mind. I subconsciously twist the charm bracelet that now sits around my wrist; Tessa insisted that I took it. If it had been my mother, or anyone else, I wouldn't have taken it. But Tessa is different; she really does understand what's going on and what I want to do. She understands and wants me to come home. I will. I will come home.
The room is just like one of the many in my house, it isn't anything special but I expect that those who aren't so lucky and get Reaped at a young age from the poorer part of the districts and go to die. You do get those from time to time, where the designated volunteer chickens out and we are doomed for another year. Not this year, not for the last two years. We have had an incredible streak and I really hope I am wrong about Twilight, I really hope that I get home.
The door open and I sigh in relief at who I see standing in the door. Aedan O'Hara, one of our latest victors. A small smile graces his lips as he nods at me. We know each other of course; the mayor and their family know all of the Victors. "Rini, a bold choice you made today."
His voice is soft, no hint of disappointment or eagerness or anger. In fact, he's very neutral and very, almost boring. What's gotten into him? "Aedan, always a pleasure. Who has the 'fortune' of mentoring the other guy?"
Aedan smirks ever so slightly. "Finnick. I get the feeling they're either going to rip each other's throats out of they'll get on just fine."
I don't know Finnick well, sure I've met him a few times but Aedan grew up in the Victor Village, we've known each other for years. "Are you sure you want to mentor me? Just in case…"
I leave that thought hanging and Aedan shakes his head vehemently. "That isn't going to happen Rini, I'll make sure you come home."
I jerk my head to the door. "Shall we go then? Don't want to keep those Capitol cameras waiting."
He simply laughs and we walk together down the hallways and to the waiting car. I wave, as I should to the cameras that lap up the attention I'm giving them. The best first impressions, that's the way it works. I've heard the stories all too often to know what to do. Those sponsors will not want to sponsor anyone else except me. I will be the darling of this year's Games.
I can see why some people might be impressed by the car we are driven, it's fairly fancy but I'm used to it. The train, however when we get to the station, I am not used to. It is rather impressive, the fact that it travels so fast and the inside is as dark and gorgeous in its design as it seems on the outside.
"Alright, so your room is here." Aedan points to the first door on the left of five that are in this corridor. "Twilight is next to you, Finnick and I are right next door and Ewes is the last one. Come on, come and meet the rest of the crew."
We move into the big room and I can feel my stomach rumbling as I see the food laid out on the table. Twilight is walking around the room, a bottle of, is that alcohol, in his hand. "Aedan, you two made it." Finnick's voice is full of relief as he moves over and smiles at me, oh that charm that fooled the whole Capitol. "Rini, isn't it? You're Mayor Emerson's daughter?"
I nod, I don't expect him to remember me straight away given all that he's gone through this year, but it's nice that he does remember me. "Got it in one. What is he like, Twilight?"
He rolls his eyes. "Find out for yourself."
I look at the strapping giant of a boy, his eyes are slightly hazed over and he is clearly intoxicated to some degree. Well that pretty much tells me all I need to know, he won't make it far if I have anything to say about it. He will not besmirch the name of this district.
Aedan O'Hara – Victor of the 63rd Hunger Games
Just our luck. District 4 has had it lucky for the last two years, well we've had the last two Victors, yours truly being one, come from our beautiful place. And now we have ended up with these two. Sure, I know Rini has had some kind of training; she might have some kind of hope. I really hope she does because Twilight, or whatever his name is, has no hope. He's completely useless; he'll never get further than the bloodbath and the fact that he is currently drunk and singing at the top of his lungs. It's slightly unnerving and I can see Finnick trying to keep his cool. I thought that he would want the girl, but I guess he was up to his usual charm in offering me the easy route.
"We'll mentor them both together." I mutter to Finnick as we watch the two tributes, Rini glaring at Twilight as he sways around the room.
Finnick sighs slightly with relief. "Thanks, it's bad enough that they asked me to mentor, but a drunkard three years older than me? Not the best start to my career."
I smirk slightly. "We have to pretend that we care about him at least or he'll not stop complaining. Why do I get the feeling that Rini might be a lot easier to handle?" Finnick nods, he's thinking the same thing.
Right, time for action. Twilight is almost dangerous, the way that he tilts towards the sides and nearly hits his head on sharper objects. We need to keep an eye out for him; we can't end up with him dead before the Games have begun. Marching over, I grab the bottle of beer, I don't know or care whether it's alcoholic or not, out of his hand and stalk over to the bin where I shove it in. spinning round, he looks at me in horror. "W T F man?" Oh great, now there's words I can't understand. This is going to be a joy. "That was mine!"
I glare at him, folding my arms over my chest. I'm just about his height, Finnick hasn't got there yet, but he will soon. "Well it isn't anymore. You're banned from alcohol for the rest of your stay in the Capitol. If you want to get through the Games, you are going to need to cut out now."
Twilight snorts and walks towards me, a glint in his eye that I am not so fond of. "Oh yeah? And what are you going to do if I drink?"
Finnick smirks. "Well then we'll be glad to see you go into the arena and we will sit back and laugh as you fall off the plate at the Cornucopia and get blown to pieces before the 60 seconds are even up."
Rini turns around from where she is, concern on her face. "Wait, you guys would actually do that? Do you think that dying is funny?"
Oh great, don't tell me we've got two kids who are going to go all high and mighty on us. "Interestingly enough, we don't. Because, I don't know if this is news to you, we've gone through the Games. We've seen enough death to last us a lifetime." Finnick's voice is soft and low, his gaze fixed on Rini and the tone he's using I've heard once or twice, and it was never good. "So I suggest you remember who you are talking to, what we have gone through and you respect us. Because we also control what you get in the arena, whether we want to help you or not. If you want us to help you, you better remember who you are talking to and treat us as if we can help."
Huh, maybe there is hope for Finnick as a mentor. I wasn't sure about him as a mentor, he's 15 years old for crying out loud! I barely remember what I was like at 15. "So Twilight, cut down on the alcohol, go to your room and I suggest you sober up before the Reaping recaps. The showers here are exceptional, you might be surprised by what they have in the Capitol." I nod to Rini who has her arms crossed and is glancing at us uncertainly; Finnick's outburst has slightly startled her. "Both of you, take your time to process what you're about to go through." They're going to need through; they've just changed their lives.
So...what did you think? I hope you liked it, I really enjoyed writing this! Do let me know what you think and the questions below can help if you are lost for what to say:
What did you think of the chapter?
Which of these tributes did you prefer?
Will his love for alcohol hinder Twilight?
If you enjoy musicals, name your top five musical theatre numbers...
Happy writing,
PenMagic x