A/N: Trigger warning for suicidal thoughts and guns in the first POV.

Eleven months before the 128th annual reaping

-Adrian Amberheim, District 12-

Another day of work. Enough to make any man, woman, or child go mad.

It was almost mindless – but unfortunately, not mindless enough. He was stuck in a slog, not doing anything interesting enough to devote his full focus, but a task just thoughtful enough that he couldn't allow his thoughts to wander. He had seen what they did to those who let their brains get the best of them during work hours. As much as he loved to think, it would simply have to wait. He had to be present in this moment, in this exact time and place of working, trying to provide without attracting trouble. Or fate. One of those things could be helped. The other could not.

Or… Could it?

He didn't know. They certainly tried to find out, didn't they? But in the end, it was all meaningless.

Ha, meaning. What even was meaning in a place like this? Where was meaning to be found?

"Dude. You're buggin again." Nathan bumped his arm, and Adrian sighed as he looked back at the dimly-lit work in front of him. So dark, barely able to see, except for the smallest light that Adrian and Nathan wore on their heads. If those bulbs were to go out… Just like that, the light would be gone. The string of clarity they were desperately clinging to would suddenly leave them alone.

No, now is not the time or the place for this. He could do this all day when he went to school. But at this point in his life, school was nothing but a distant memory. A memory that his siblings would soon live, and then forget just as he did. Oh, what a miserable path laid in front of them, one they would not be able to fathom until the fateful day they walked it. The day that the dust blew into their face, and they wouldn't cough for their lungs were already full of dust and powder from these mines, and every breath was already a wheeze. The aches in their joints. Most of all, the dreams that would come and go, slip through their fingers and be abandoned in the name of food, precious, life-giving food… Food that he couldn't provide for fifteen people alone. Maybe he wasn't truly alone, but he was the only one brave enough to be here, in this place, while the others sold their labors in different ways.

"Just a little more and we get to go," Nathan commented, trying to keep Adrian out of his head for the final moments of work. These were always bittersweet. The end of another day, the ability to go home and relax… But for what? Just to wake up at the crack of dawn the next morning, and do it all again, forever. Without end.

"Ready to go? Our shift's over." What sweet words those were to hear. But then again, he would be right back here in this place, ready to hear them again tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after. Never ceasing. How he wished those days would cease, and he could be free.

"Let's go," Adrian said, his voice tired from lack of use. He much preferred to listen, and watch. Nathan led the way and Adrian followed, up the creaky old stairs and into the outside. They had missed the sun again today, with the shorter days and the sun setting earlier. They were encapsulated by the dusk. Adrian had a few weak coughs to produce as he and Nathan walked home, their bodies dirty and grimy from a long day of work.

"I'm gonna sleep well tonight, how 'bout you buddy?"

"I'll sleep fine," Adrian said. He always did, whenever he had any time at all to sleep.

"The trees are preparing for fall already," Nathan commented. "At least, that's what it looks like, doesn't it?"

"They must be. Do you know why?" Adrian peered at his friend, his apathy fading for just a moment at the thought of learning something new about how the world works. It was fascinating to him, and he could have spent the rest of his life discovering things like this, if only he didn't live here.

"I… I did, once." Nathan sighed and shook his head. "But I can't remember now. Guess I've been breathing in too much coal dust." He forced a laugh, but Adrian didn't entertain it.

"Oh," Adrian said, shaking his head as his apathy returned. He could try to find a book about it at the library, but when would he have time to go there? Every second he stayed there, another of his siblings' plates went empty. Like it mattered. Life's plate was always empty. "Hey… Think you could still do a cartwheel?"

"Man, I don't know, it's been so long."

Adrian smirked. "Come on, man, I dare you."

Nathan grinned back at him. "Oh, I have to then!" He took a running start, trying to get the roundoff, and falling over. "Fuck! I'm much taller than I was once."

Adrian laughed at his friend on the ground and went over to help him up. The way he was smiling… He was really riled up now. Adrian looked around, trying to think of what to dare him to do next.

"I dare you to jump over that destroyed wall over there, without touching it with your feet. Total jump over."

"Oh, that's easy." Adrian took off running, his face set in determination as he took a flying leap and hit the ground on the other side.

"Woah, awesome man!" Nathan said. And that was when Adrian saw his target, and knew what he had to do.

"Think you can take a Peacekeeper? You know, graffiti artist style, provoke and dash?"

"I can definitely outrun those old men!" Nathan boasted. Those vile bastards. "But where will we find one here? Maybe this can wait."

"There's one over there." Adrian pointed to where the uniformed officer was swaying slightly. "And he's wasted, so there's no risk of getting caught."

"You're on." Nathan grinned and Adrian nodded at him. The distraction went in front of the Peacekeeper, who was watching Nathan so much he forgot to guard the weapon on his holster. Adrian grinned as he felt the weight of the weapon in his hands. He'd only dreamed of having something that was this valuable. Surely this would help his family, somehow.

Nathan was still making wild noises and yelling when he met up with Adrian, who had run around the block to meet him on the other side. Both boys were laughing as Adrian showed off his treasure.

"Dude, I didn't know you could swipe a gun like that!" he said, obviously impressed with Adrian.

"I'm an experienced thief."

"Well, this one is gonna be one for the books, bro!"

Adrian laughed a little bit at that as they approached the fork in the road between their houses. "Definitely."

"Well, good night, man! See you tomorrow!"

"Night," Adrian said with a wave. No you won't.

…

The bustling house, never quiet, was now dead silent. The baby was finally put down, and each sibling was now dreaming of a better tomorrow. A better tomorrow… Ha. They didn't know that that better day would never come for them, they were just too young to understand. It would never get better, it would only be worse. They would learn. And if they didn't learn soon, the Hunger Games would swipe them away before they could. Death, on live television.

Just like that poor poor piano boy. Pulled up on stage in front of a nation that was piss-poor and scared like a baby. Scared of a government that wouldn't take care of them. Scared of a high elite that would gladly send them off to die, without a name, without a face, without a dignity. Just the thought terrified Adrian. And while this was his last reaping, the horrible circus of his siblings' reapings had only just begun. It was dreadful. It was a path to nowhere. It was a path to paralysis, laying on a bed, having to be fed, waiting to die, just as his father had, and for what? A penny? It was a meaningless journey of pain and debt. And they were all just beginning their way.

Even when the house was silent and asleep, Adrian remained awake. He couldn't close his eyes. Not with the opportunity he had been given. The chance to make it all go away. The suffering, the pain, all of it. Gone. That was what he wanted. He didn't want to live like this anymore, walk this path to nowhere.

When the house was quiet, Adrian quietly pushed open the door. Each of his brothers was asleep – he knew because none of them stirred when he awakened. The same was true of his sisters, many of them curled up together on the floor, trying to be comfortable, trying to feel safe. Adrian couldn't stand to see them like this. And of course, his parents. So peaceful. Dad had his own space, due to his paralysis and the many accidents that came with it. And how beautiful his mother looked when she slept, but so worried. Worried about him, about the kids. He just wanted to make it all stop, looking at her slumber, a dream compared to the nightmare of living life. It was all one big nightmare, and now he finally had the power to end it.

Adrian felt overwhelmed as he left the room where she lay. He should just go sell the gun for money, give it a ransom fee, for Dad's hospital bills. He should… He doesn't have to resort to this. Right? He wished that was true. But as every spark of hope in him had thusfar, the embers were soon extinguished. His feet moved him without him thinking, for once he finally wasn't thinking, he was just taking action like he always knew he should. Adrian took a shaking breath as his stance planted on the floor. This was it. Soon, it would all be over.

His lower lip quivered as he aimed the gun, so cold in his touch.

It will all be over, soon. That was his promise.

Adrian pulled the trigger.

Bang!

Thump!

Mommy's lifeless body crumpled to the floor.

It was too late now. Their suffering would all end soon.

The babies woke up, all of them young, all of them having never suffered a day in their lives. He was going to keep it that way, for their own sake, as he pulled the trigger on each of them. Just a brief flash of pain, then it was over. The suffering was over and they would never have to know what it was like to be hungry, to be at risk of death, to live in poverty. They were saved from the path to nowhere. They were going somewhere now. Or perhaps, still nowhere, but at least they wouldn't have to suffer to get there.

Adrian turned around as Dominic was the first of the older siblings to enter, his eyes wide open as his mouth dropped with shock, but before he could scream, before he could suffer, before he could see his mother dead, before he could fully process the suffering, his was over as well. Cayla, rubbing her sleepy eyes, checking if a bird ran into the window, soon on top of her brother and bleeding. One by one, siblings kept coming, and soon warm bodies were overtaken, crumpling on top of each other on the floor, as Felicity tripped over the bodies of the twins and was taken out of her suffering with the sweet sound of release. No pain, it was all done for them. The pile of bodies on the floor, some grabbing onto each other as they choked to death, grew every second, until the stream of children stopped and finally, there was silence, and it was all over. The struggling, the screaming, the clamoring, the starvation, the reapings… All done, all over.

Adrian took a deep breath, almost choking on the smell of blood in the room as he checked the bedrooms… They were empty. That meant that only two remained. Adrian went to his father's room.

"Adrian! Thank-" his sentence was stopped short when he saw the sight – the blood on his clothes, the gun in his hand, pointed straight at his tear-stained cheeks. He stared at his oldest son, who he'd loved since he was born… "Wh… Why?" he asked, his voice going to a low, teary whisper. "Please don't do this, son, my son!"

"Life isn't worth living. The path leads to nowhere. Don't fret, father. It will all be over soon." Over his father's blubbering, tearful pleas, Adrian pulled the trigger. It was best. He would be free. And if not free, at least he wouldn't be trapped anymore.

"This is the Corps! Open the door!" The booming voice snapped Adrian out of his thoughts. His heart beat faster at the sound of the Peacekeepers banging the door, knowing that soon it would be destroyed. But it didn't matter, because it was finally time for his suffering to end.

Adrian put the gun on his head, and it felt like an old friend. He pulled the trigger, one final time.

A weak click responded, close to his ear, and Adrian's entire body went cold as the door tore open, and it was too late. They were there. The damn gun was empty. No, it couldn't be. This was a bad dream. It was a fluke. He pulled the trigger again, again, begging for the blast to end his misery for real, please! But nothing came out of the gun except for that clicking noise.

No.

NO!

Adrian felt screams tear out of his throat – screams that sounded feral, screams like nobody had ever heard before, including himself. He had to end his suffering. He beelined for the kitchen as the tears started to blur his vision, his heartbeat in his head, his lungs pushing out sounds that were never to be made again as the screaming of the Peacekeepers combined with the voices inside his head, the visions of his family, laying dead on the ground.

"STOP! STOP RIGHT THERE!"

Adrian didn't stop. He was still screaming, he was still digging through the drawer, hoping that they would shoot him for disobeying, end his misery for real this time. They weren't nearly that kind. Two of them closed in on him, putting cuffs on his hands, as a third went to confirm that a murder had taken place.

The scream of that Peacekeeper made everything real to him. He had failed to end his suffering. He failed and now he was going to go to prison, and his family was dead. Gone. He had nobody left, not after what he had done.

Adrian Amberheim was wary to believe in total truths. But now, now he knew another total truth.

Fate could not be avoided.

~.~.

Eleven months before the reaping

-Odessa Anthony, District 9-

"Did you definitely pack everything?"

Odessa stopped her suitcase and turned to face her mother with a sigh. "Yes, mom, I have everything."

"Retainer?"

"Mom – yes!"

"Did you pack underwear?"

"You know I have clothes at Dad's."

Connie took a breath. "Yes, of course." Though it had been four years since her father was a player in her life, it was still slightly foreign for Connie to be sending her child to his place.

"Mom, I'll be fine. Just relax, okay? If I'm going to go to Uni next year, I'll be away much longer than two months."

"Of course…" She took Odessa's face in her hands. "Just… Be really careful, okay dear? You know there have been-"

Odessa talked over her mother. "Riots and gunshots, mom, I know, but that was different. Just relax, alright? I'll be fine, and Dad will watch me the whole time." Odessa wasn't about to let some freakish event stop her from visiting her father. "Besides, do I look like a District person to you, Mom? We've been over this, I'll be fine."

Connie sighed, knowing that she had done all she could to keep her daughter safe. "White hair doesn't automatically make you safe from the rioters."

"Yes, I know, and I will be safe. You know that Dad will keep me safe. Now, please, the train is leaving in five."

"Oh, alright." Connie sighed and gave her daughter a hug. "Be safe out there."

"I will. Love you Mom."

"I love you too, deary."

The two of them released and Odessa got out her train voucher to show to the Peacekeepers who were guarding the doors, her suitcase rolling along behind her. Connie leaned into her wife, Holly, who was there to take her home. Odessa worried about them leaving the twins at home by themselves. Sure, they were old enough, but two happy and goofy fifteen year old boys? Good luck.

No matter, it wasn't her issue. Odessa produced her paper to the Peacekeepers who were distracted talking to each other. She didn't hesitate to interrupt her conversation – at this point she knew both of the men by name.

"Excuse me Anton!" The blonde man looked over at her and smiled. "Ah, Odessa! On your way to the Capitol again?"

"Yes," she said politely, giving them a smile as Anton examined her papers. At this point, Odessa was pretty sure she could have just stepped on without them. He seemed to be a big softie. "Right this way, little lady." Anton showed her into the car. It wasn't as luxury as the cars that the celebrities rode in, but it was comfortable enough. She would be riding with Peacekeepers, how safe was that? She turned over to blow her moms a kiss over her shoulder before she turned and stepped onto the train, into the car.

Her peripheral darted to the door for a moment as her ears perked up. It was unusual for there to be any other people on this train, and Odessa never minded meeting new people. "Will there be someone else riding with us today?" she asked Anton.

"Oh? No, that just leads to the one of the grain cars, usually delivers tesserae. But it's empty now."

"Oh." Odessa didn't deflate as she went to sit by the window so she could see out of the car. "I think someone might be in there… Or something?"

Anton pulled the door closed as the train hissed, ready to set on its way. "That's impossible. If anything, it's probably just… A cat." He had a glimmer in his eye as the train lurched into motion. Odessa didn't worry about it, since he didn't seem very worried. Instead she just looked out the window. She wondered what Daphne was doing right now. Studying, possibly? She wished she could bring her best friend here with her – Daphne deserved a nice day out, from her girl Odie. She thought about all the amazing places she would take her friend if she could. She could finally meet Virgil – she'd certainly heard a lot about Odie's ex - and of course she could meet Dad. The twins would have so much fun seeing all the sights, trying to get with all the pretty girls… If only.

Odessa couldn't wait to move to the beautiful Capitol and live here forever. She only stayed in District Nine per her mother's request – and she did love and respect her mother. But the Capitol was where she could really shine. District Nine wasn't exactly the center of the opportunity in the world, now was it? But the Capitol… It was the place for artists, like her.

My camera… Did I pack my camera?! Odessa quickly searched herself, relieved to find her camera bag where she left it, full with her camera and everything else she could have possibly needed for it – extra lenses, batteries, a new memory card, the portable tripod… Phew. Odessa relaxed again, looking out the window and feeling more excited for the awesome two months of summer break she would spend with her father in the beautiful Capitol.

"Will you have someone around to pick you up at the Capitol?" Anton asked, bringing her out of her excitement for a moment.

"Of course!" she said, grinning. "And he said he has a special surprise for me once I arrive. I think it's going to be pretty good." She had a few ideas about what it could possibly be, each one more exciting than the last.

"Aha. Well, that'll be nice then. Nowadays, you should always have someone with you in the Capitol. It's… Charged, right now."

"Trust me, my Mom made sure I knew that much," Odessa sighed, before looking at her nails. She couldn't wait to get a real manicure. "I'll be careful."

"You can just never be too careful." His eyes scaled the room for a moment. "After everything that went down over the summer and everything. Even without it, you wouldn't believe what my colleagues in the force brag about when the sun goes down…" He sighed quietly and shook his head. "Just be careful out there."

"Of course. I'm almost eighteen, next year I'll be living in the Capitol full time as a student. I think I can handle myself."

Anton smiled a little bit and shook his head at her. "Everyone says that."

"I won't go anywhere without a buddy, Anton. I promise. I mean, I feel like I'm going to be pretty busy there anyways with my Dad."

He nodded and they were left in silence until they arrived at the Capitol. Anton pulled open the doors, and Odessa was greeted with the beautiful smell of the place she loved. She hurried out of the train, giving a wave to Anton before she hurried over to where her father was waiting for her, suitcase rolling behind her.

"Daddy!"

"There she is!" He accepted her hug with a smile. "How are you, baby doll?"

"I'm good, Daddy! Excited for the summer!"

"Now, do you have your camera on you?"

"Of course Daddy! Why would I come without it!?"

"Good, good. Today, you're going to need it."

They started walking back to the car together, Odessa cheerfully trailing behind him, trying to figure out where they would be going. "What's the surprise?!"

"You'll know in a moment," he said, smiling a little as he loaded her suitcase in his car. Odessa hopped happily in the passenger's side, enjoying the sunroof being down and the wind on her face. She smiled as her father drove home, impressed by her ability to remember the landmarks on the way home. She could have made it home by herself if she had to! And if she could drive. He promised this summer he'd teach her. Odessa couldn't wait. She enjoyed the radio and the wind on her face as they approached her father's house – twice as big as her mothers' back home, and with far less people to fill it, take up every bathroom, and argue about the thermostat and fireplace.

"Now, hurry and wash up, and get changed. You'll need to wear dark clothes for this." Odessa grinned as she obediently went to her room in his house and found the closet full of dark clothes for her to wear. She picked out her outfit, made sure to comb her hair and do her makeup – something unheard of back home in District Nine. She used the restroom last thing and hurried down before she could even tie her converse. Where she was going, she knew better than to wear shoes she couldn't hustle in. She would certainly be running errands for Daddy.

He was preparing snack bags for each of them, which Odessa put in her camera bag as she grabbed a bottle of water. Here in the Capitol, they had so many awesome snacks, way more than her choices back in District Nine. Her father had also changed into dark clothes and combed his hair. Odessa couldn't contain herself.

"Where are we going, Daddy? What's on the program tonight?!"

She clasped her hands together. "You'll know when we get there."

Odessa whined as her father grabbed his messenger bag and opened the door for them to go. The whole time, Odessa stared out the window. They weren't going to the studio… Where were they going?

Odessa's eyes widened as she realized what tonight was. And she resisted clapping her hands together as they passed the line of colorful people that was already forming in front of the biggest concert hall in the Capitol. She was going to get some amazing shots tonight.

Odessa looked out at the people, as Daddy drove around the back of the building. In front of the line there were even a few tents up, one of them occupied by a father and teen, just like Odessa and her Daddy. But different, because Odessa was going to be behind the scenes. She wondered if Out of Spite would be as nice as they seemed on TV. It was obvious who her favorite band member was, as she was wearing a shirt with his face on it that she seemed to have printed herself at home. It was the first thing you would notice about her, besides the wild curly hair and, y'know, the tent.

She smiled as Daddy parked the car and showed his badge to be let in the back. Odessa followed him quickly, her eyes widening at just how large the venue was when it wasn't packed with people.

"Wow…"

"Now now, we don't have much time to marvel dear. There's work to be done." He walked up to the sound and lighting booth, where his and Odessa's headsets would be waiting. She was always impressed with his work as a producer, but today in particular was going to be the best night of her life.

After sitting through a meeting with the crew, led by Daddy of course, they were sent to start getting ready for the band. Odessa was soon put to work, chasing down things for Daddy whenever he needed them and trying to keep his stress level to a minimum. It peaked when the band was almost five minutes late, but as soon as they arrived, everything was set back on schedule.

"Sorry we're late, dudes! Blame Oliver!"

"He slept in way too long," Theodore said. Odessa was struck by how tall he was in person. And just how vibrant each one was.

"Cut him some slack there, Teddy." Kat Valentine, who was somehow part of the equation now, shook her head. "Let us know how we can help. Do you need amps set up?"

"I can soundcheck the drumset!" Wolf quickly volunteered. Oh yeah, he'd once played the drums, hadn't he? That felt like so long ago.

"Of course. For that, I'll turn you over to the sound team. You'll love them, they're wonderful. Odessa, can you take Mr. Jansing and Ms. Valentine to the booth?"

Odessa had plenty of practice not acting too starstruck in front of the celebrities, but even she struggled around Wolf and Kat. She quickly straightened her posture, remembering to be professional as she nervously took a sip of her water. "Of course. Right this way please."

"I remember playing here for the first time," Kat sighed as Odessa led them to the booth where the team was waiting. "It was amazing."

"Oh, yeah, it was rad, dude."

"Can you please not say rad in public?"

"Excuse me, Chris? Mr. Jansing and Ms. Valentine are here and willing to help with the sound check."

The man in question turned to face them. "Oh, lovely. Let me orient some headsets for each of you and we'll get started. Thank you, Miss Anthony."

"Oh yeah, thanks dude. You nailed it."

Odessa smiled professionally at them and left the room. Once she'd gone down the stairs from the booth, she tippy tapped her feet excitedly, but only for a moment. She had to establish herself as a professional at all times if she wanted this photography career to take off.

"Odessa? Rose Westmore has just arrived and needs to be shown to her dressing room."

She tapped the button on her headset so that it picked up her voice. "Right away!" She hurried over to where the girl was standing somewhat awkwardly on the stage.

"Hi Rose!" called Wolf over the microphone, causing her to jump out of her skin and look around to find where his voice was coming from.

"Leave her alone, would you?" came Kat's voice off-mic.

"Please Miss Westmore, right this way." Odessa started walking towards the back where the dressing rooms were. She'd only briefly passed them, but remembered where they were. By the time the girls arrived, each one had a name written on it.

"Here is your dressing room. Down the hall are the restrooms, and at the end there is… I think a lounge?"

Rose smiled gracefully at her. "Thank you, darling."

"Are you nervous?" She tried to hold off on the more personal questions, but she couldn't help it.

"Not yet," she said with a small laugh. "Ask me again in about two hours."

"Well, best of luck," she said, as she was paged back for the next contestant.

"Thank you!" Rose called, as the door shut and Odessa went back out to get Chicago. Soon, her job was making sure each contestant was shown to the dressing room to prepare for the first sound check and run-through. Odessa couldn't help but feel excited, especially as the original band members were lingering around, talking to each of the contestants.

Theodore even started doing her job for her – as DJ and Pierre arrived at the same time. She didn't mind, but she was just trying to be professional as much as possible. Before long, Hosanna appeared with a speaker in her hand, blasting some upbeat music that not even Odessa could resist dancing along to. One by one, the contestants opened their doors and were back out in the hallways, dancing and singing with the band. Odessa grabbed her camera off her shoulder and caught some candid shots of the group. She couldn't help but notice how Oliver was exclusively interested in dancing close with Rose.

That poor girl wearing that homemade shirt. She was gonna have to settle for a cursed dumbass or something. Hopefully he at least played the guitar.

DJ just awkwardly swayed and clapped, as Hosanna was busy dancing with Felicity and Maxi. Chicago was trying to copy Theodore's moves, who was splitting his attention between his copycat and Pierre, who seemed slightly tense but relaxed into the beat.

She got some good shots of the group, and each small pod, trying to get the mood right so that they could tell what was happening in the impromptu dance party. These shots would definitely sell, and right now she needed shots that would sell.

"Over here, photographer! This move is hot press!" Oliver then proceeded to do the Charlie Brown, but terribly. Odessa took a picture to humor him, but for no other reason. Her face must have said enough because Rose was laughing at her. She was cute when she smiled. Odessa clipped another shot, wondering if maybe she should photoshop Oliver out.

"Odessa, they're calling for the band for the first soundcheck," Daddy said in her ear.

"Right away!" she said, sure that the music would be in the press.

"The band's needed out on stage for the first sound check."

"Alright alright," Oliver said, and Hosanna stopped the music. "Best of luck everyone, see ya later!"

"Enjoy the glam!" Hosanna added.

"Looking forward to the big night, all," Theodore said, waving as they all followed Odessa to the stage.

"So, how long have you been a photographer?"

Odessa blushed at Hosanna's question – and interest in her, the intern.

"Oh, couple years."

"Make sure the pics you sell to the press have my best angle," Theodore said, reaching over to ruffle her hair and knocking the headset off her head. "Just kidding, there isn't a bad angle!"

"Wanna bet?" Oliver shot back. "Give me that camera, I'm going for the double chin shot."

Odessa giggled as he made grabby hands at her. "Maybe later," she promised as they got out to the stage for sound check.

"Now, don't make me force you to exercise, you three!" Kat's voice boomed scared all three of them.

"Coach, are you in heaven now?!" Theodore called, looking up and then crying out as they turned the lights on. "MY EYES!" his bandmates – and Odessa – giggled.

"Shoot the picture right now," Hosanna said to her.

"I'm the ghost of Kat and I'm going to haunt you forever if you three are dumb."

"We will not be dumb!" Oliver said.

"Alright alright," Chris said. "Please set up by your instruments. We'll hear Marry the Night first, just the first few bars."

"Good luck guys," Odessa said, waving as she waited for the next command from her father.

"The contestants are going to draw sticks for their performance order now. The sticks are in the lounge, can you oversee the process? Sending Zach on camera to document."

"Okay!" she said, going to get the sticks. The contestants were in the lounge, waiting for hair and make-up. Odessa smiled as she shuffled the sticks around in her hand.

This night was going to be magic and it hadn't even started yet.

~.~.

A/N: Late at night, yes, but hey, I'm back. Doing my best, not giving up on these stories, but I can only do so much writing at once. So thanks for your patience! Once intros are done, this will go much faster hopefully.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed Adrian and Odessa. Very different, these two, but I had a different kind of fun with each of these intros. Hope you're well and stay safe out there!

CQ: Thoughts on both? Which stood out more and why?

This break I'm going to work on stockpiling tribute drawings and maybe try for another intro. But my main priority is to drive to the end of my personal story Voices since it's almost 5 years old… Whoops. But I'll be continuing this story and DuFE and seeing them out to the end.

Next chapter: Another unlikely pair on almost opposite sides of the age and District spectrum.