Nausicaa Halcyone, 13, District Four
Marisol and Walton Halcyone have only ever wanted one thing from their daughter: perfection. Lucky for them, she's a natural.
It probably helped that they started training her right after she could hold herself upright. At first, her mother was disappointed. Was she going to have to go through this again? It wasn't until Nausicaa was about five that things started to change.
Her dad noticed it first. At first, it was small things, like how she would always win play fights with friends her age. Then play sword fighting. She kept winning, then against kids two, three, even four years older than her. It was her brutal defeat of a boy five years her senior , Santiago Petridis, that her dad realized her gift.
Her mother refused to send her to the training academy.
"She's unique. She's not getting poisoned by being around normal kids." Her dad didn't argue.
So Nausicaa was taught under the watchful eyes of private trainers. Some were past Victors, some trained those Victors. Each had their own style, but Nausicaa thrived under them all.
With Nausicaa's gift at fighting and natural beauty, with her beautiful black curls and flawless skin, Nausicaa caught the attention of the District's photographers. They captured her training, studying, learning, and thriving under the care of her private trainers. Those images were plastered on newsletters and District magazines, garnering even more attention. Apparently, one of these magazines made it all the way to the Capitol, receiving nothing but praise, and placing a little bit of curiosity in the Gamemakers. Who was this mysterious, talented child from Four?
It was when Nausicaa was twelve that her mother suggested she volunteer at thirteen.
"You're more talented than eighteen year olds. You're more talented than any Career I've seen in the arena in the past couple of years. Imagine winning as the youngest Career in the history of the Hunger Games." Marisol spent a few months planting this seed in Nausicaa's mind. They brought it to the academy leaders, those who chose the volunteers each year. At first, they were unsure. Then they saw her in battle, and their demeanor immediately shifted.
And so it was decided. Nausicaa would volunteer at the age of thirteen.
One Year Later
Today was the day. It was the first thing Nausicaa thought about when her eyes fluttered open. She leaps out of bed and pulls her curtains back, the low hanging sun telling her she's not late.
Nausicaa throws on a pair of black leggings and a gray athletic shirt. Nearly everyone takes reaping day off. It's one of the few "rest" days. But Nausicaa never rests. Besides, she has people to see.
Nausicaa grabs an apple off her kitchen table before taking off down the cobblestone road, straight to the training center. Nausicaa has only been here a handful of times, and never alone, always with one of her friends who trains here.
Nausicaa enters the unlocked building and finds her way straight to the gym, where she sees only a few people, one of them being her best friend, Amelia. Amelia is sparring with her trainer, an older gentleman named Davis Storm. Amelia says he's one of the best trainers in the academy. Nausicaa lets her believe that.
As Nausicaa gets closer, Amelia notices her. She smiles at her, and drops her guard for just a second long enough for Davis to get a "fatal" blow.
"Ow!" Amelia says, dropping her wooden sword and holding her shoulder where he connected.
"Never lose focus in the game, Ameila." Davis points his sword at her, then turns to face Nausicaa. "Good to see you, Nausicaa!" Davis gives her a polite nod, and she reciprocates.
"You as well, sir. And he's right, Amelia." Nausicaa winks at Amelia and Amelia eats up the advice.
Davis takes the two sparring swords back to storage, leaving the two girls by themselves.
"How are you feeling?" Amelia asks, her eyes wide with awe and a little bit of envy. Is Amelia talented? Absolutely. But she needs five more years of training before she'll be a contender. And Nausicaa plans to help her get there, when she returns.
"I feel great. I mean, it's just another day, right?" Nausicaa winks at Amelia. Some people would bullshit those around them. Tell them how excited and ready they feel, when in reality, they're more nervous than they've ever been. But not Nausicaa. At this point, there's nothing she can't handle.
"God, you're amazing. I don't know how you do it." Amelia tells her best friend. Nausicaa shrugs.
"I just do." The girls turn as a series of footsteps gets closer to them. The footsteps belong to none other than Santiago Petridis, the male chosen to fight alongside Nausicaa.
"Hello." Nausicaa says, recognizing the boy immediately. She was pleased with his selection, someone strong, to make sure District Four isn't looked down upon this year, but someone who's strengths and weaknesses Nausicaa is very familiar with.
"I just wanted to formally congratulate you on being selected. I look forward to working with you." Santiago holds out his hand and Nausicaa shakes it. Despite noticing his tight grip, she keeps a friendly smile.
"Thanks. You too. We'll make a good team." She pulls her hand back before it turns any more red.
"Good luck out there. Although, we won't need it." Santiago winks at Nausicaa before turning around to walk away, leaving Nausicaa a little uneasy. What's his game?
"I can't believe he was chosen as your district partner. You're so freaking lucky." Amelia, infatuated by the strong Career, doesn't see him like Nausicaa sees him. She knows he's never forgiven her for beating the shit out of him when they were children. He hates being upstaged, let alone by a girl five years younger than him? Yeah, no, he's not excited to be paired with her. But Nausicaa can't figure out his game.
"We should get ready. Do you want to help me pick out my outfit?" Nausicaa knows her answer before she gives it, and within minutes, they're heading back to Nausicaa's house at the end of the cobblestone street.
Her parents are sitting around the kitchen table, already dressed to their best for the reaping.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Halcyone!" Amelia says gleefully.
"Hello Amelia." Walton nods, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Amelia was just going to help me pick out my outfit." Nausicaa says, wanting to get into her room quicker. She fears if she spends too much time still, her mother will implement a last minute, intense training session. Nausicaa doesn't need that right now.
"Of course. Go ahead." Marisol dismisses the girls and Nausicaa takes Amelia's hand, bringing the two of them upstairs into Nausicaa's room. It doesn't take the two girls long to pull out a perfect outfit, mostly because of Amelia's eye for fashion that Nausicaa lacks. A long sleeve blue dress that fades into a sea green at the skirt. The sleeves across the neck are a blue sheer material. With her hair up in a bun and paired with black flats, Nausicaa looks amazing. And a few years older.
"You're so pretty." Amelia pulls Nausicaa into a hug. Nausicaa smiles.
"Come on. Let's not be late." Amelia quickly throws on one of Nausicaa's basic black dresses and the two head back downstairs. With her mother surprisingly pleased, the two girls are joined by Mr. and Mrs. Halcyone and as one big happy family, they walk to the square.
The girls check in, unbothered by the drop of blood they have to give up. Still hand in hand, the girls funnel their way into the 13-year old sections, making sure to stand as close to the stage as they can.
As the escort, Daphne Dawnberg, takes the stage, Nausicaa tunes out her repetitive speech, awaiting her moment.
"And now, let's see who will be representing our wonderful district. Let's start with the ladies!" Daphne doesn't bother to pick a name. Nausicaa has volunteered.
As she steps onto the stage, she notices two distinct reactions from those in the audience. About half are proud, clapping, they know Nausicaa. They know she'll return. The other half, well, they look rather disgusted.
A thirteen year old? Seriously? Nausicaa assumes that must be what they're thinking.
She keeps the same smile the entire time. Soon enough, she'll prove them all wrong.
As expected, Santiago joins her on stage. As they shake hands, Nausicaa notices Santiago's grip still as strong as it was when they met in the training academy. But this time, Nausicaa is prepared. It's going to take more than that to throw her off.