Author's Note: OH MY CHICKEN-FRIED CHICKEN. I almost had a spaz attack with all the reviews last chapter. So thank you very much~! Digital cookies to all reviewers!
And even more so than that: if this story gets just two more reviews, it will officially be my most reviewed story, EVER. Which is amazing.
I'd really like to reward you all for all of your hard work R&Ring, past the digital cookies with no definite flavour. So here's my proposition: if this fic recieves 100 reviews overall, I will write whatever story each of the top 5 reviewers wants. Seriously. If we actually get to that point (which would be a-bleeding-MAZING), I'll specify some rules, but, for now... There's your incentive to comment. Hehe.
Recommended Listening: Roll With the Changes by REO Speedwagon
Veta Ungar, District 8
I spin the frying pan's handle in my palms. Although I've been on watch for a while, all I've seen was the sun beginning to peek over the horizon, and Austria's fingers drumming on the ground while he sleeps. I suppose they're trying to play out a tune on the ivories—but this place holds no instrument for them.
As if realising that, they stop their playing, and Austria starts to wake.
"Morning, sleepyhead," I comment, smiling as he—looking a bit disorientated—opens his eyes.
"Morning…" He stirs, sitting up and sweeping some dirt off him. "Where…?" He adjusts his glasses and looks around our shallow grotto.
"Same place as yesterday," I answer, seating myself next to him.
"Ah, right…" He trails off in a yawn, covering his mouth. "I don't suppose we've gotten any breakfast?"
"Nope. No luck." Austria sighs a bit.
"Oh, no worries," I respond, entwining my fingers with his. "If we don't get anything, we could always try to hunt."
"Emphasis on 'try'," he replies with a small grin. I smile back at him, and, with a relaxed sigh, look down at our hands. Mine's a bit tanner than his. I suppose it's because, being better off, I got to hang around outside more often than him.
I shift my fingers a little, and both our rings come into view, gleaming in the faint morning light. Oh, the rings. I can't help but think of all the awkwardness we had to go through to get them.
The door opens, setting off a few tinkling bells, and I lead Austria into the store.
"Veta," he starts, "while I certainly appreciate your offer, I really couldn't—"
"Oh, nonsense," I interrupt. "I already know you can't afford to buy one. And I have enough money for two, so…" I shrug. "No big deal."
Austria glances over at the glass boxes—filled with several shimmering rings with any and every type of gem embedded in them.
"I still don't quite feel right about this," he concedes, looking back at me.
"Oh, quit worrying. It's fine. Now…" I spin around dramatically, facing away from the jewelry. "Go pick one out. I won't look, so it'll still be a little bit of a surprise."
I can tell Austria has to stifle a laugh. "Okay."
An hour or so and a pretty penny later, we're back outside the store, Austria gripping a small, black box in one hand as he leads me further into town with his other.
"Where are we going?" I start, though I'm too excited about what I know is coming to really care.
"Where do you think?" my boyfriend replies.
We continue down the street, turning several of the road's twisting corners before Austria comes to a stop.
I observe the store front—letters painted over glass that just obscures the piano behind it—before turning back to my boyfriend, who's begun to kneel down.
"It might be a silly question at this point, but…" He holds up the box toward me, opening it so I can make out the gleaming ring inside. "Veta, will you marry me?"
"Of course I will," I reply, unable to stop my smile from spreading.
Austria stands and, with a little fumbling of his suddenly skillless fingers, places the ring around my finger. It's a simple, golden band, with one twist in the center that underscores the glittering, clear gem above it.
"Good choice," I say, admiring the ring for a moment before turning to admire my boyfriend—no, my fiancé.
"All right, then, Mrs. Veta," he starts with a smile, entwining his hand in mine, "where to now?"
"Um…" I'm so jubilant I can barely put coherent thoughts together. "Let's go… pick out a wedding dress!"
"What?" he asks incredulously, though I can tell he wouldn't mind.
"You heard me; let's go!"
I was so excited; I could hardly believe I was really going to marry him.
And then it hits me.
I can't marry him.
Even if one of us gets out of the Games alive... Only one of us gets out of the Games alive.
Oh, my God…
"Veta?" I wrench my gaze from our hands to Austria's face. "What's wrong?"
"I…" I stare back down at our hands, unable to meet his gaze for some reason. "I just realised… we… won't be able to get married…"
Austria seems to reflect on this warily for a moment before an unexpected smile starts to creep across his face.
"Who says we won't?"
Thew Canda, District 3
Crack! The sharp rock in my hand bangs against the stones as the snake dodges. Panting, I retreat a few steps and watch my lost breakfast disappear back into the rocks.
Crap. That's probably the only food I'm going to find. Especially with the steady return of my headache—it's bad enough to make even the cool temperature around the swamp crater unbearable. And don't even mention the pounding it causes from even the slightest movement.
It's not fun. And I'm getting the creeping suspicion I'm not going to get any more painkillers donated.
Especially after how badly I screwed up last night. Alf had better be having some wicked sort of psychological breakdown right now, or I've undoubtedly lost all of my sponsors.
Which, of course, means I won't get any food donated, either. So, nothing to eat, because I screwed up earlier, and because I can't do anything now because I can't get any food.
I really hate the Hunger Games.
Russia Bragins, District 9
I'm starting to regret coming back to the grassy crater. I didn't get much sleep last night because it was so cold. While I'm used to freezing temperatures at home, I've never faced anything this bad without a blanket, or at least a sister to curl up next to.
But, I mean, it waasn't too bad. Sure, I didn't get anything close to a good night's sleep, but... It kept me awake enough to keep an eye out for Careers, right? So, that's good! They didn't come by last night, but if they did, I definitely would have heard them. And that's definitely a good thing.
I'm still really sleepy, though.
By now, I've made my way out of the crater and across the rocks, and the temperature's shot up to something more manageable. I yawn. I guess I could go to sleep right now...
Oh, but if another tribute comes by while I'm asleep, I won't be able to kill him!
Well, phooey. That's no fun, no fun at all.
I'll just stay awake, then. And if I do come across another tribute, I will get to have some fun!
