A/N I'm back! Sorry for the delay, work has been crazy. Reminder that the District 7 Male, District 10 Male, and District 11 Female spots are still open! If you haven't submitted your allotted amount of tributes, feel free to submit more. Or, spread the word to friends so we can get the roster filled. Without further ado, let's get this show on the road!
"Oh, these two are a mess!" Brutus said through laughter. "First of all, Gaia- who the Hell wears a sports bra and ripped jeans to a reaping?! Get her a stylist, stat! And then that Arthur boy… I think he may need a psych evaluation."
"Nonsense, he's just a child playing pretend."
"See, that's what I don't get about you, Elsa," Brutus said as he turned to look at his assistant. "Aren't they all children?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"You only call the 12-year-olds 'kids,' but isn't that uh… oh what's her name- Gaia! She's 17, isn't she just a kid as well? Other than whatever 18-year-olds there may be, aren't they all, at least legally, children?"
For once, Elsa wasn't sure if Brutus even meant to strike a chord. The old man has had so much plastic surgery that his face could hardly form expressions anymore, but she could see there was genuine curiosity in his eyes this time instead of the usual malice.
"Well," she began as if releasing a long-held breath. "In the districts, they say you become a man or a woman once you're eligible to be reaped. Yet, when a 12-year-old is called, the whole crowd still weeps like a babe has just been plucked from their arms. District 12's first volunteer was to save a 12-year-old. A rebellion was fought because of the reaping of that same 12-year-old. Such a thing would have never happened if little Primrose Everdeen had been just a year or so older."
Brutus scratched his chin. It was an interesting thought. He opened his mouth to interject, but Elsa spoke once more before any words could form.
"Don't believe me? Look at District 4."
The clicking of her heels echoed through the spacious chamber as she approached Brutus and bent over his chair. From over his shoulder, she tapped District 4's file on the tablet's screen. There, it displayed two names: Galia Sherif & Adrian Maelstrom.
"District 4? I thought they finally got their career academy going." Brutus questioned.
"Nevermind that. Just pay attention to the reapings, the reactions," she said as she tapped the male tribute's name.
Adrian Maelstrom, 17, District 4 (Submitted by DariDark)
"Breathe. Just relax your shoulders and breathe…"
Nearly in sync with the beat of the waves against the boat's starboard, Adrian could feel the tension slowly leave his brother's small shoulders as his lungs filled with air. He smiled and squeezed little Polaris' shoulders slightly from where his hands rested atop them.
"Good, good. You're doing great, bud." Adrian looked over his shoulder to his other brother, Tye, who was watching and maintaining the boat from the other side with a smile. Tye had a nostalgic look in his eyes as if he was remembering back to when he was in Polaris' place and being taught to sail by Adrian. "Now, we're approaching the shore. What do you notice?"
"We're going too fast," Polaris said, his statement sounding more like a question.
"Exactly right! Now, what are you going to do about that?"
"Um… well…" He glanced around nervously. "The wind is going towards the water so… luff the sails?"
Adrian released his brother's shoulder after patting him slightly.
"Attaboy, now go on, do it!"
Polaris' eyes went wide as he was suddenly released to work on his own. He hesitantly made his way to the sail, walking as if he had suddenly lost his sealegs. He took over for Tye, who had been maintaining the sail while Adrian instructed him, and began to turn the sail so it laid neutral in the wind. Without the wind's force, the sailboat noticeably slowed.
"A-and now I gotta go to the C-head of the dock?"
"The tee-head, yes. Do you think you got it?"
"Mhm," Polaris walked up to the captain's wheel. "I've been practicing this part with Dad!"
Slowly but surely, Adrian watched as Polaris sailed the boat perpendicular to the dock. Once they were close enough, Tye made an impressive leap from the boat to the dock and began to tie the boat's dock line to the dock.
"I… I did it!" Polaris cried as the boat began to settle against the dock.
"Yes, you did!" Adrian cried, pride beaming from his voice. "Docking a boat like this is pretty tricky, but you did a good job. Now come on, let's start heading home." With impressive strength, Adrian lifted his 10-year-old brother up off the boat and onto the dock before climbing out himself. After setting him down, Polaris paused and turned to look at his handy work while Adrian walked up to Tye.
"He's a natural," Adrian remarked.
"And so are you," Tye replied. "You might look like a meat-head, but I've never met a better teacher."
Adrian chuckled. He had gotten that a lot throughout his life. Standing at 6'5, 210 pounds of pure muscle, a certain perception followed him everywhere he went. As the siblings walked back through town, Adrian could feel how the townsfolk looked at him. To them, he was the rough and tumble longshoreman, a giant who spent his days doing grueling ship work and gutting fish over half his size. His appearance and work were not necessarily synonymous with intelligence and caring. It wasn't necessarily a terrible perception- it did help him land a lot of work- but being seen as such a shallow version of your true self is disheartening. After all, the townsfolk never got to see the books he'd devour on nearly every voyage or how gently he treated his siblings. Only the sea got to see that side of him. On their walk back to the slums, when Adrian wasn't engrossed in conversation with his brothers, he found himself looking out towards the sea, longing to go back out there.
"We're home!" Tye cried as the trio started heading up the steps of their worn-down front porch.
Pearl and Mariana, their sisters who were sitting on the edge of the porch, looked up from their tasks with glee.
"The boys are back!" Pearl, the elder of the two girls, cried. "How was the lesson, Polaris?"
Polaris gave a small, embarrassed smile and looked at Adrian.
"It went well! He did good," Adrian said as he ruffled his brother's hair.
"Whatcha' two working on?" Tye asked.
Little Mariana held up a series of shells tied to a string. "We're making necklaces! Mama says if we sell em' after the reapings then we can go to the food stalls tonight!"
"Oh yeah?" Tye replied with a chuckle. "And what would you get at the stalls?"
Mariana kicked her feet and hummed in thought for a few moments before shouting, "Peanut pancakes!"
"What?"
"I think she means apam balik," Adrian replied.
Galia Sherif, 12, District 4 (Submitted by Very New To This)
The air on Hook Street is like a drug. Come within a few miles and you'll be intoxicated by a thousand fresh scents. Some spicy, some sweet, some tangy, and some in between. Hook Street is the home of District 4's bustling street food industry- a staple of their culture. Family-run carts line the street, each one selling something tasty, cheap, and unique. There's nowhere like it in the world.
That night, the Sherif family kitchen became a mini Hook Street. Oils and spices flew through the air as the sound of a hot stove crackled. Galia wiped the sweat from her brow and lifted up the lid from the hot flat pan on the stove, revealing a small disc of batter. With her free hand, she scattered a mixture of butter, cream corn, peanuts, and sugar onto the batter before folding it over with a spatula. A softly brown bottom was revealed, which brought a small smile to Galia's face as she set down the lid, turned off the stove, and scooped the last apam balik onto a large plate to her right.
"Ibu!" Galia called.
Her mother looked up from tossing a bowl of rojak.
"It's ready!"
"Ah!" her mother cried before clapping her hands. "It's time to eat then everyone!"
The clapping of her hands summoned a crowd from across the house. Galia's father, brother, grandmother, and the family's two guests emerged from various rooms and met in the family's dining room. The Sherif family was not particularly well off- with their main source of income being their street food stall- so their dining room was modest at best, but the magnificent dishes Galia and her mother began to bring out made it seem like heaven.
"Yay!" Gabby, Galia's lifelong best friend, cried as she took in the beautiful sight.
Galia's father smiled and pulled out the seat at the head of the table, where he normally sat. She gestured to Gabby's elder sister, Honora, who was standing at her sister's side.
"Please, Honora, sit."
Honora's eyes went wide and she began to wave dismissively.
"Oh! No, no, I can't."
"You are our guest of honor! I must insist!"
"Come on, Honora," Gabby said as she teasingly pushed her sister forward.
Honora stumbled slightly towards the chair before giving an awkward smile and sitting down. The rest of the group soon sat down. The children, including Galia, Gabby, and her brother, Hydra, sat on the right while the elders sat on the left, Galia's grandmother sitting on the opposite end of the table from Honora. Galia's father began a short prayer. As he spoke, Gabby and Galia shot glances repeatedly from each other and to the food- a wordless challenge. The second Galia's father concluded, the pair practically jumped and began reaching for every dish within range, desperate to get the most food on their plates first.
"Oh, children! Calm yourselves!" Galia's mother said firmly.
Galia and Gabby dropped the serving spoons in their hands and sat back properly, guilty looks on their faces and giggles fighting to escape their closed lips.
"Let them enjoy, my daughter," Galia's grandmother interjected. "You would do the same as a child." Galia's mother's cheeks grew red in embarrassment at her mother's reminder. Galia's grandmother picked up a fork and went to dig in but suddenly paused. "What's the matter, dear?" she asked, causing Honora to nearly jump in surprise. "You hav' hardly a thing on your plate!"
Honora looked around nervously, suddenly very aware of all the eyes on her.
"Oh, I, um-"
"Aye, don't worry, girl," Galia's father said reassuringly. "I bet you're just nervous, aren't ya? Just an hour or so away from volunteering now, aren't we?"
Honora nodded. "Yes, I'm sorry. I do not mean to be disrespectful, I just have a lot on my mind."
"That's quite alright, Honora-"
Galia's grandmother interrupted her daughter. "We just wanted to make sure you weren't a prude like the mayor!"
Galia winced at the sudden reminder. The mayor of District 4 had not been kind to the Sherif family- nor anyone who made their business on Hook Street. He was a snobbish man, obsessed with making District 4 like the Capital. A big part of this revolved around cleanliness, and there was nothing the Mayor thought dirtier than the street food stalls of Hook Street. He had tried to shut them down several years ago, nearly sending the Sherif family further into poverty, but the ban was quickly reversed due to the district's outcry. However, this did not stop his hatred of food stalls- particularly the Sherif's after their daughter supposedly caught food poisoning from something at their stall. He once even ordered Galia's Grandmother to be publicly whipped after she threw a tomato at the mayor's wife, revenge for his wife insulting her.
Without a word, Honora started to pile her plate with the assortment of dishes around her, much to everyone's delight.
"The mayor did invite her for lunch today," Gabby remarked.
"Really?" Galia asked with a gasp.
"Mhm! Ever since she was chosen as our career academy's first-ever volunteer she's been getting loads of invitations. My big sis is the talk of the town!"
"Well, we are honored that you decided to share your dinner with us," Galia's mother added. "Ever since Galia and Gabby became friends, you both have been like daughters to us. While it is painful to see you go, we know your training will serve you well."
"And we'll greet you with some real food when you return!" said Galia's father.
"Yes!" Galia cried, "I'll make you my specialty- apam balik!"
Honora suddenly froze, her fork and knife stuck in mid-cutting motion. She looked at Galia and smiled.
"Thank you, Galia. I will look forward to it very much."
The Reapings
As the reaping hour approached, there was a different air throughout District 4 than there had ever been before. The girls of the district seemed at ease, their only tension coming from trying to tie their headdresses before the rain ruined their hair. Two years ago, President Noctis lifted the ban on career tributes. Since then, several richer districts opened elaborate academies and began pumping out victor after victor. District 4's academy had just begun. For the first time, they had a graduate they believed was ready to compete in the games- and that graduate was Honora. Her intentions to volunteer were well publicized around the district and sponsors were already lining up to bolster her career. However, the academy only presented a female graduate this year. So, while the girls were permitted to relax, the boys in the district still stood as tense as ever.
Adrian could see this disparity clearly in his siblings. As they walked through the rain, Pearl skipped through the puddles with a smile while Tye stared forward with an empty glare. Polaris and Mariana walked just behind them, holding hands with their parents. They were still too young to be reaped, a fact that Adrian was eternally grateful for.
Before long, the Maelstrom family made it to the district square. Their parents smiled and hugged the three of their reapable children.
"Aye, don't fret out there, alright?" their father, Griffith, said. "We'll see you soon."
"And then we'll go to the food stalls, right?" asked Pearl.
"If it's not raining still, I think Polaris should show off his new boating skills as well," said Adrian as he ruffled his little brother's hair.
"Sounds like a wonderful plan," their mother, Alexia, replied with a smile.
With that, the family said their goodbyes and entered the line. Meanwhile, Galia was already inside the district square. Her whole life, she had always been told how nerve-racking it would be to sit through this ceremony for the first time, but this time would be different. All Galia could think about was watching Honora cross that stage. It would be scary not knowing if she'd come back, but Galia knew Honora well. She trained harder at the academy than anyone before her, she had no doubt she'd see her again.
Galia watched from the edge of the twelve-year-old section, desperately trying to spot Gabby. The two had made a pact that they'd stand next to each other at every reaping so they wouldn't be scared. The starting time grew closer and the line slowly dwindled but there was still no sight of Honora or Gabby. Worry began to get ahold of her until suddenly she spotted the familiar crown of curly brown hair. Galia's soft brown eyes lit up and she began to wave. Honora and Gabby had just entered, but they weren't walking together. Gabby glanced up from staring at the ground and caught Galia's. She looked away. A twinge of hurt ran through Galia as her arm slowly dropped to her side. She watch as Gabby walked on, pulling her headscarf up as if to cover her eyes and then practically running past Galia. Meanwhile, Honora walked behind her with perfect posture, staring ever forward.
Galia felt tears welling up in her eyes. She was so confused. She had noticed that Honora had been acting strange at dinner, but it was completely unlike Gabby to ignore her like this. She shook her head, almost causing her purple headscarf to fall off.
"She's just sad about Honora…" she muttered to herself.
Meanwhile, the Panem national anthem began to play in the distance. The crowd snapped to attention as the mayor and his wife took the stage. In District 4, it was customary for the mayor and his family to help with the reaping ceremony. Meanwhile, the escort stepped up to the microphone. She was a tiny woman, seemingly barely larger than Galia herself. She adjusted the microphone down several clicks before speaking in a very soft voice.
"G-greetings, District 4!" the escort stammered. She was new this year and clearly nervous about the role. "Welcome to t-t-the 85th- I mean 84th! Annual reapings for the Hunger Games."
Adrian strained to hear the woman's voice from the 17-year-old section. The gentle wooshing of the rain around them didn't help. As the escort launched into a propaganda speech, Adrian couldn't help but be grateful that he was still wearing his big rubber boots and yellow raincoat from boating earlier.
"Now… um… I now p-present the mayor of District 4, who will select the male tribute's name from the bowl."
The mayor stepped forward to the sound of forced applause. He was an older white man with a crooked smile. He thanked the escort before walking up to the bowl of male names. He put on a pair of white gloves before sticking his hand in the bowl and pulling out a folded card. He handed it to the escort before disposing of the gloves in disgust.
"The male tribute is…" She began to unfold the card, only to drop it. She hastily picked up it and read from it. "T-Tye Maelstrom?"
"No-" the words involuntarily fell from Adrian's mouth as he heard the painfully familiar name. His heart was pounding as he watched Tye step out of the 15-year-old section. The boys both grew up the same, doing grueling work every day to train as longshoremen. However, Tye didn't take to it the way Adrian did. He was smaller, too small now that Adrian was looking at him. Adrian thought back to the day father taught the two how to gut fish. Tye cried the whole night and nearly puked from the blood. In reality, they both had the stature of Greek Gods, they both had the agility and strength to carry on decently in any survival situation or fight, but suddenly Adrian couldn't see it. He could only see the little brother he taught to sail.
Adrian moved like a crashing wave through the crowd. He reached the edge just as his brother was passing the seventeen-year-old section. Tye froze when he saw him out of the corner of his eye. He rushed up and placed both his hands on his brother's chest and attempted to push him back.
"No!" he cried. "Go, Adrian!"
"Tye, I'm not letting this happen."
Adrian didn't budge, even when Tye applied his full force to push him back.
"Tye, listen to me. Go back to your section, now."
"Please, man…" Tye's voice choked up with tears.
Tye's strength suddenly faltered and Adrian was able to slip away from his grip. Tye stumbled, almost falling to his knees. He was a mess, raindrops mixing with tears on his face as he watched his brother walk on.
Adrian raised his hand up in the air in a fist.
"I volunteer as tribute!"
"No!" Tye's mangled voice squeaked out through the pain.
His cries landed on deaf ears. Adrian continued on up to the stage, leaving peacekeepers to escort Tye back to his correct section. The escort looked up at the tall figure before her and gulped.
"Um uh… a volunteer! Oh yes…" she turned away from the microphone and appeared to check some notes written on her hand before continuing. "Um, what's your name?"
"Adrian. Adrian Maelstrom."
"Maelstrom? Oooh! Was that your brother?"
"Yes."
"Oh, um… Very well then… Let's move on."
As the mayor's wife went to grab the female name from the bowl, Adrian turned his face towards the sky. The rain was softer now, but what little drops still fell came right down on his face. It was a calming sensation, almost like a sea breeze.
The mayor's wife smiled at the crowd before reaching into the female bowl and handing her selected card off to the escort. Galia let out a sigh of relief. The ceremony was practically over now. Everyone knew what was coming next.
"G-Galia Sherif!"
Galia froze. She let out a small involuntary chuckle.
What a coincidence…
She thought to herself through feigned calmness.
Really, what are the odds?
"Galia? Hello?"
It's okay, Honora will volunteer. She probably just wants to make a grand entrance.
Galia slowly made her way out of her section. She tried to put on a small smile to the crowd that was staring at her in horror. Everyone was muttering in confusion as she walked further and further down the aisle. With every step, Galia's attempt at calmness was beginning to fade.
Where is she?! What's going on?
Everyone in the District seemed confused about how she reached the stage… everyone except the mayor and his wife. They simply stood there and smiled.
"Galia?" the escort asked as she approached.
"Y-yes…"
The escort looked her up and down before looking to the mayor as if for some kind of reassurance. The mayor simply smiled back. The escort turned to the microphone and spoke again.
"Are there any volunteers?"
Here it is! Here is where I'll be saved…!
…
…
…
No… NO!
Galia fell to her knees and let out a bloodcurdling wail.
"Oh, dear… Um…" the escort said frantically.
Galia frantically scanned the crowd, looking for Honora, Gabby, anyone who seemed like they had answers for how she got here. Finally, she found her. Honora stood at the front of the 18-year-old section, staring down the sight before her. Galia pleaded with her eyes. She knew Honora could see her. Yet, she did not move. It may have been rain, but Galia thought she noticed tears streaking down Honora's face. Tears or not, it didn't really matter, because she stood deathly still, staring on with complete resignation.
Desperate to move on, the escort continued. "I present to you your tributes for the 84th a-annual Hunger Games!"
Galia Sherif, 12, District 4
Still lost in a sea of confusion, Galia was led back into a well-decorated room. She sobbed uncontrollably as she attempted to make sense of what reality she found herself in. By the time she regained a sliver of composure the doors opened.
Tears streaming down her face, Gabby ran into the room. Galia didn't have the time nor will to question anything, she simply opened her arms wide as Gabby wrapped her in a hug.
"Galia!" she cried, "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry!"
"G-Gabby? W-w-what happened?"
"I didn't know, Galia! I swear I didn't know!"
"What didn't you know? Why didn't Honora volunteer for me?"
Gabby suddenly pulled away. She ran back up to the door and pressed her ear against it before running back to Galia. She leaned in close and whispered in her ear.
"It's the mayor! He did this."
"What?!"
Gabby quickly shushed Galia before continuing.
"When he invited Honora to lunch today h-he bribed her. He said he'd give her a lifetime of money if she didn't volunteer today!"
"But why would he do that? I thought being a career was Honora's dream!"
Gabby shushed Galia again.
"Keep it down! He's right outside! Galia… Honora… never wanted to be a career. She did it so she could win the games and get our family out of poverty but with the money the mayor offered… I think this is revenge. Honora said it was because your family's food made his daughter sick so he rigged the reapings and-"
"WHAT?!" Galia suddenly screamed, her typical meekness suddenly burning away. "ALL THIS BECAUSE OF THAT?!"
"Galia-"
"IT WASN'T EVEN OUR FAULT!
Suddenly, the doors shot open. The mayor stood there with a grin as a pair of peacekeepers entered.
"Times up," said the mayor with a grin.
The peacekeepers grabbed Gabby and began to force her outside.
"No! Wait! Please!" Gabby cried. "Galia!"
"Gabby!" Galia ran to grab Gabby but was swiftly blocked by the other peacekeeper. He grabbed onto Galia's shoulders and began to lead her out as well.
"Take her to the train," the mayor said as the two were dragged out of the room.
"Hey!" Galia's father cried. "Wait! What about us?"
"That's my daughter! You have to let us see our daughter!" her mother added.
"Galia!" cried Hydra.
Galia was frozen in fear, unable to fight against the peacekeeper as he continued to drag her away.
"Sorry, the train is leaving now," the mayor said with a laugh.
Galia turned and looked at her family and Gabby. They watched on in horror as their little girl was led away- likely to never be seen again.
Adrian Maelstrom, 17, District 4
"You have five minutes-"
A peacekeeper ushered Adrian's family inside. Tye adamantly made his way in first and instantly embraced Adrian in a rough hug.
"You dumbass," Tye said as he held him tighter. "You goddamn dumbass."
"I'm sorry," said Adrian.
"As you should be. What in the world do you think you're doing?"
"Protecting my little brother."
Their father approached and placed a hand on Adrian's shoulder.
"I've raised ya' well, my boy."
Tye pulled away, allowing Adrian a chance to hug their parents.
"You're strong, my boy. Everyone in this district knows it. They'd be a buncha' fools not to bet on you coming home."
"I will come home," Adrian reassured. "I'll come home and we'll buy a big boat and sail far, far, away." He looked to Polaris, pride and sadness in his amber eyes. "And Polaris can sail us anywhere."
"M-me?"
"Yeah! You better be practicing while I'm gone, you hear?"
Polaris smiled and nodded confidently.
"B-big brother?" Mariana's small voice piped up.
"Yes, Mariana?" Adrian said as he knelt down to her level.
Mariana walked up to her brother and pulled a shell necklace out of her pocket. Adrian lowered his head and she put it on him.
"Pearl and I made this today…"
"It's very pretty," Adrian said as he examined the magnificent shells.
The door suddenly opened, causing little Mariana to jump in surprise.
"Time's up!" said the peacekeeper.
Adrian's family departed, tears in their eyes. Adrian himself fought back tears as they led him out to the train. For a moment, on the platform before the train, he was outside again. The rain had picked up and fell on his face once again. Adrian took a deep breath of the wet sea air, allowing it to fill his lungs for potentially the last time. The scent of the water and sand filled him with vigor. He stepped onto the train, knowing it would take him far, far away from the sea. Although he was leaving, that last deep breath filled him with all the drive he needed- the drive to return home to the water.
A big thank you to DariDark and Very New To This for submitting Adrian and Galia! It was fun researching sailing terms for Adrian and writing Galia's section made me hungry. What do you guys think of this new tribute pair? Leave a review and let me know :)
