Day 2:
Rachel Verona, 16
District 8 Female
Sleeping on a cold, hard rafter hanging several feet in the air above a large stage was a lot different than sleeping an an actual bed. Rachel felt a lot safer up here. Should any tributes approach, she'd be able to spot them first, and take appropriate action. Although, that likely meant nearly trampling three sleeping bodies right next to her.
As far as Rachel was concerned, the stage was her new home. She rubbed at her eyes; she had spent all of last evening silently bawling over Jenny, Powder, and Elana. For almost half of her alliance to fall, just like that...it was terrifying.
But at least she had DJ. She couldn't bear to think of what would happen if she lost them. Not after everything that had happened. They could finally be open to each other, and all it took them was the freaking Hunger Games-
Beep.
Two parachutes slowly drifted across the stage, until Rachel was able to grab them and pull them close. One was a dagger with a note from Gibson, Palatino's mentor. Rachel put it aside, for when he woke up. She opened the second gift, revealing a thermos of warm broth. It smelled amazing. Rachel plucked off the note from Lukari off.
You and DJ have a lot of support here in the Capitol. Look after one another.
Rachel quickly folded the note and stuck it in her pocket. She felt some hot breath on her shoulder, an indication that DJ was awake. "What's that?"
"Nothing. We got some more food."
"Good. I could always use some more food."
Rachel scoffed, packing up the thermos. "Also, this is for Palatino."
"A knife?"
"A dagger. More weapons for us."
DJ scoffed. "I didn't get shit."
"Be patient!"
"But I want a weapon too!"
"You already have one," Rachel sighed. "I'll share, okay? Maybe we should wake the others-"
"No."
Rachel glared at DJ, who just give her a single glance. A single glance that spoke volumes. In an alliance with four people, lines were clearly drawn. The Veronas and Palatino and Jonathan. If Palatino knew he was getting much more support then both of the twins, would he really need them? Maybe Rachel could take him on, but at what cost?
The smart thing to do was take out her allies before they could touch her. It didn't surprise Rachel that DJ had no problem with that; they weren't very trusting after all. And blood was thicker than the bonds tying them to the rest of their allies; DJ had their own agenda they were keeping close to their chest. DJ knew that Rachel would join their side no matter what.
Rachel knew this. And Rachel knew that DJ knew this.
But for now, she'd just fake a smile and laugh it all off. Act like nothing was wrong. Rachel was very good at acting, after all.
Over the years, she had seen the way other actors considered better than her had absorbed their characters as part of them, and built up these thick, strong exteriors. Rachel had done the same. After all, in her very emotional family, DJ had let their feelings get the best of them. And Rachel had to be better than DJ, right?
The walls prevented anything from getting at her. She had only let them slip once when she and DJ finally found a way to be honest with each other.
Now, in the Games, she wanted them up more than ever, as to not betray herself. Nobody could see the real Rachel Verona. Not even DJ, as much as they would've wanted to. Rachel could pretend all she wanted that she was the ultimate survivalist with one goal in mind, but she wasn't. She was conflicted, torn, scared.
But nobody else had to know.
Jonathan sat up, nearly kicking Palatino's arm. "So what are we doing today?"
Rachel shrugged. "I think we're staying here. Maybe scout the area to make sure nobody else is nearby."
"But that sounds so boring!"
"Deal with it kid," DJ retorted. "I, on the other hand, would rather not get skewered by a Career today, thank you very much."
Now Palatino was awake. Rachel handed him the dagger. "This is for you."
"A sponsor!"
Palatino silently read his note. "My dad sent the money for this..."
Jonathan punched his shoulder. "See? What did I tell you?"
"I just...even after everything I said about him?"
DJ let out a small snort. Rachel just sniffed. Palatino's family was rich enough to sponsor them? No way in hell could her parents and her two older brothers spare the expenses to buy such an expensive gift! She didn't know a lot about Jonathan, but if he had as many siblings he claimed, then likely his family couldn't afford to sponsor him either.
Fine. It was just a single gift, not a big deal. And clearly, someone in the Capitol cared about her. Rachel just had to bide her time.
For now, she was going to act like nothing was wrong. She was good at doing that.
Merona Timmons, 12
District 10 Female
The tent was very roomy and delightfully cool, since there was a good amount of air coming through the flaps. Merona actually liked it. She didn't mind staying here for just a little bit longer. At the same time, the Careers could potentially check this area out first and Merona wasn't sure her alliance could take them on. Yeah, Synth and Alec were big and strong, but what about her and Ace?
"Did you sleep well?" Alec asked her. Merona just shook her head. It was hard to get used to the cold ground underneath the tent. The constant fear surrounding her didn't help either.
Synth was pacing back and forth at the entrance of the tent, spear in hand. Had he slept at all? Ace was curled up, hugging his legs close to his chest and rocking back and forth. Alec rummaged through their supplies. Nobody said a word, probably too sleepy to communicate.
Ace began to yawn and stretch. "Now what? Do we sit here all day?"
"This is a good hideout," Synth declared. "I don't know why we would want to leave."
"Because the Careers are coming after us." Alec flopped backwards. "After me."
Ace stopped smiling. "Oh...right..."
Synth began to tap the butt of his spear against the ground. "Well, I'm guessing they know it's a smarter move to go after other tributes, since we're such a big alliance. But I won't be surprised if they're pushed towards us eventually."
"That's what I'm worried about!" Alec groaned. "I don't know really know any of them that well, aside from Rosy. But they all probably want revenge."
Ace and Merona exchanged nervous glances. Unlike Synth and Alec, they were both pretty terrified of the Careers and wanted to avoid them as much as possible. Alec may have been target number one, and Synth may have been hoping for a chance to avenge his fallen district partner, but Merona? What should she do against a bunch of highly trained killers?
Adults too. They were all older than her. That was the worst part of all.
Ace's stomach growled and he looked down at it sheepishly. "Um...what's for breakfast?"
"The same shit we had yesterday." Alec tossed over one of their bags. "Don't eat it all. We have to ration."
After all the luxurious meals in the Capitol made hot and ready for her to order whenever she felt like it, it was taking Merona a while to get used to the chewy dried meat pack she was splitting with Ace. They didn't really have much food around and the hope was that the meat could keep all of them going throughout the day. They all passed around a water canteen, each of them only taking a few small sips.
Synth then handed her a knife. "Here."
"What am I supposed to do with it?"
"Just in case."
Merona liked Synth. She liked all of her allies, actually. Synth was really patient and kind, though his constant lurking near the front of the tent wasn't helping her feel any calmer. Alec could be funny sometimes and he was very cautious. Ace was Ace. And yet Merona felt the closest to him. There was that bond between them as district partners, and Ace's very presence helped to relieve a lot of the tension the alliance felt. His jokes were pretty funny, he was always so sunny, and he was from home.
Merona really missed her parents, her dog, and her friends.
Synth peeked out the tent for what had to be the hundredth time already, then jumped back. He hefted up his spear and crouched, pointing the spear towards the tent flap. When nothing happened, he straightened back up and dusted himself off, whistling innocently.
"What happened?" Ace squeaked.
"I thought I saw something."
"What was it?"
"Nothing. It was nothing." Synth's voice sounded perfectly casual, but Merona knew something was up. After all, why would've he reacted so quickly if there was nothing to react to?
"Good thing we have you to protect us. "Alec was clearly not paying attention to the conversation. He seemed to be doing everything he could to face the opposite direction. For a brief second, he turned his slightly and Merona realized just how red his face was.
Ace grabbed her hand and pulled her off towards the bathroom attached to the tent. "We're gonna go wash up!"
Once they were far enough away, Ace lowered his voice. "Did you see that?"
"Did I see what?"
"Alec totally has a crush on Synth!"
Merona giggled nervously. "How can you be so sure?"
"He's always avoiding looking at Synth. And he blushes so much! Like, he's either blushing or sunburned. It has to be one of the two."
Ace had a bit of a point, but Merona was not entirely convinced. "Should we do something?"
"Uhhh...maybe not? He might stab me if he finds out. And what should we do anyways? Set them up on a hot arena date?"
"Um...yeah, maybe that's not a good idea."
Ace quickly glanced over his shoulder. "And let's not say anything either."
Merona had to agree. "Sure. It can just be our little secret."
Well, at least Ace and Merona had something to keep them occupied for the duration of the Games.
Ember Johnson, 18
District 1 "Female"
Spending an entire day hunting was starting to get really tiring. Ember and Rosy slumped back to the Cornucopia, neither of them saying anything. Everyone else was already there. Void and Amperia were burning something in one of the pots, while Aurora just watched.
"Anything?" Aurora's voice was hallow.
Rosy shook her head. "Guys, it's okay. It's only the second day. If the Gamemakers need us to really pick up the pace, they will let us know."
The circus music suddenly stopped playing, replaced by the loud screech of an electric guitar. Everyone jumped and covered their ears as it rang through the loudspeakers.
Void chuckled to himself. "I think they liked that idea."
"Dinner's ready." Amperia tapped the blade of a knife against the pot.
Dinner was a simple broth, made from the fresher vegetables in the Cornucopia, before they could go bad. Thankfully, there were enough bowls to go around. It felt weird having to slurp the broth out of the bowl rather than use a spoon, but Ember managed. At least without spilling his dinner all over himself.
He never expected the Hunger Games to feel like this. Granted, things weren't so bad after all. He had Rosy, and the two of them made a great pair. While hunting, they spent the entire day telling jokes and swapping stories. Ember had learned of life inside Rosy's art studio and he told her about his brother's wedding. And the two of them had made a pact.
Final two or bust.
He absentmindedly passed a hand over his flattened chest; his stylists had given him a brand new binder to wear that was a lot more comfortable and allowed for a little more movement. Given that the only clothes in the Cornucopia were socks and gloves, the Careers had no choice but to sleep in the clothes they started out the Games with. The binder hung a little loose on him so it wouldn't hurt him while sleeping, but it did its job and made Ember feel more...more...
More like himself.
Void drained the last of his broth with a loud sigh. "Ahh. That hit the spot."
Ember rolled his eyes. "Yo, Chef Zachariah. It's just minced vegetables and water."
"I am not allowed to join my own cooking?"
Ember wanted to fight back, but Rosy held up her hand. "Ember," she whispered. "It's not worth it. He's trying to provoke you."
Ember nodded, gently putting his bowl down at his feet. God, he hated this man so much. And ever since he came out, Void felt more aggravating then ever.
Beep.
Aurora was the first one on her feet. "Sponsors."
Sure enough, the silver parachutes gently glided down, until the two packages sat across from the Cornucopia. Aurora picked them up and turned them around in her hands, frowning. "One's for Void and the other's for Ember."
Rosy gave a small sigh. Ember just patted her shoulder. "Hey, I'm sure you'll get something eventually."
Void was already opening his sponsor gift, a childish smile spreading across his face. Ember slowly opened his up. Maybe it was from his parents? Or some encouragement from Devote? or perhaps, it was from her...
The gift was a framed picture of a carnival. Ember could see the shadow of the Ferris wheel, the roller coaster, and the boardwalk. There was also a delicate pink rose painted onto it. On the back, Ember noticed someone's signature and a little note tucked into the frame. He pulled it out and unfolded it.
Ember,
I didn't know what to send you, because you have a lot of stuff right now. So I got you this. It's something you can use to remember me by. All that time we spent chasing each other around the rides and up and down the boardwalk. You're doing amazing so far! I can't wait to have you back!
Love, Constance
"What does it say?" Rosy asked.
Ember shoved the note in his pocket. "Um, it was just telling me where the picture was from."
"Do you know who sent it?"
"Nope! No clue! Might be a Capitol admirer."
Void sneered. He was holding a photo of an ultrasound. "Damn Johnson. Save some pussy for the rest of us."
Ember's cheeks began to burn. He felt Rosy grab his hand. "Void! Why the hell would you say that to him!?"
"I was just making a joke, kid. Yeesh."
Rosy scowled. "Well, it wasn't funny."
"Fine, fine. I'll be more sensitive next time. Anyways, my girlfriend sent me a picture. Who wants to see my kid?"
Void passed the ultrasound around. Ember ignored it. He continued to stare down at his own gift. Constance was still on his side, supporting him. He gently traced her loopy handwriting with his finger.
"I'll come back to you," he whispered. "I promise."
Alliances:
Careers: Void, Ember, Aurora, Rosy, Amperia
D10 and The Sexual Tension: Alec, Ace, Merona, Synth
The 12 Year-olds and the Veronas: Palatino, DJ, Rachel, Jonathan
Angery Lonely Lesbian: Hera
Lone Lumberjack: Arwan
Kills:
Void: 2 (Elana, Jenny)
Ember: 2 (Ezra, Powder)
Julius: 1 (Grey)
Hera: 1 (Julius)
Rosy: 1 (Aldair)
No more deaths yet, hehe. But alliances dynamics are certainly heating up.
Do you think it's smarter for the Verona twins to stay in their current alliance, or leave? Should Ace and Merona reveal Alec's crush in Synth? Will Void and Ember ever learn to get along? That last question was rhetorical, of course we know they never will. XD
See you all next chapter!
-Vr
