Nyx Nyctores,17, District 1 female
I strut into the training facility and do a spin before posing with my hands on my hips and everyone just gives me an odd glance.
"Hello everyone, I know you guys are really happy to see me but you can make a little noise if you want!" I add before grabbing a spear from the weapon's station and standing in the middle of the arena as I await my opponent.
It still remains quiet though as everyone only glances at me.
"You do know this a fight right Nyx? Is that really an appropriate outfit to be wearing?" My instructor asks.
I'm wearing a tight red dress with white stripes, a nice fancy red jojo hat, some red leggings and white heels. This attire was apparently real popular in the capitol recently, but like the capitol usually does, they find shit outdated within days. I still love wearing their past trends though.
"Well duh, obviously I am ready or I wouldn't be here right you ding dong?" I fire back at my instructor and he sighs.
"Anyways where is my opponent hiding at? Let me stomp her so I can go on with my day, I got things to do!" I impatiently state adjusting my hat with one hand while striking the air with my spear to get warmed up.
"We all got things to do, like me for example, I have to humble your cocky ass!" I hear my opponent Roxanne and I look up to see my "opponent" wouldn't even call her that because she's going to get destroyed but yeah, we're around the same size standing at 6'1 weighing around 160 lb. and her chest is distracting to say the least.
"Oh look who came out of hiding, whenever you're ready to get embarrassed, just say the word." I cockily state as she grabs a scythe from the station and only glares me while doing a stance.
We're both the finalists and while she joined this tournament to win and volunteer tomorrow, I only joined cause I just like beating the shit out of people. Apparently I'm pretty good at it cause here I am, ready to embarrass someone else.
"Ok Ladies, I want a clean spar, nothing dirty or you're immediately disqualified and banned from ever volunteering!" the instructor warns but I do an overdramatic yawn to zone him out.
"You haven't moved yet, is it cause you're afraid?" Roxanne tries to taunt me but I only gaze at her chest for a moment before looking back at her.
"Nope, just wondering how you're able to move around with those milkers, them things are huge!" I exclaim and she growls before striking at me but I block her attack and dance out of the way on my heels dodging another one of her attacks and jabbing my spear at her but she smacks it away with her scythe.
She angrily swipes at me with her scythe but I dance out of the way again and do a pose with one hand on my hip and my spear raised and as I hoped, this upsets her even more as I giggle and dance around her on my heels but I get too confident and trip a little and I block her next strike but stumble back slightly trying to catch my balance.
"Looks like someone's mad!" I taunt her and she strikes again but I pivot out of the way and she stumbles slightly so I laugh and kick her in the ass with my pointy heel causing her to gasp and fall.
Hey! I said no dirty tactics allowed! Do that again and you're disqualified!" The instructor warns.
"Yeah, yeah!" I sarcastically say as Roxanne makes it back up to her feet, her pale skin now turning a flush red.
"Keep being mad!" I taunt her but she strikes at me and I reflexively raise my spear to guard but she stops her attack mid way, she feinted me!
She then strikes me across the face with her plastic scythe and I'm knocked right on my behind with my jojo hat falling off. I try to scramble to my spear but Roxanne only points her scythe at me and the fight is called off.
"The winner and volunteer for tomorrow's hunger games, Roxanne Oakland!" the instructor announces and I growl making it up to my feet.
"Told you I was going to humble your ass! Hopefully this'll make you a better person though!" Roxanne extends her hand to me. I look at her hand in disgust though and as hard as I can punch her right in her boob.
"Owww! Owww!" she cries in pain clutching her chest and falls to her knees.
"Hey what the hell!" I hear a deep menacing voice and moments later her nearly 7 foot boyfriend is storming towards me, I'm not afraid of him though, I'll kick him right in his balls if he wants to try anything!
"What the hell was that for? You can't take your ass beating?" he growls at me, his fists balled.
"You should be more worried if you're going to be able to suckle those milkers tonight!" I taunt him and he prepares to throw a punch at me but my brother Nox comes in between us, standing in front of me.
"Nox…" The giant takes a step back.
"Were you just about to put your hands on my sister?" Nox narrows his eyes at the giant.
"No, no not at all! I swear, I was just caught up in the moment that's all!" he protests.
"Good, now take your girl and leave." Nox sternly tells him and he picks up his wailing girlfriend and leaves immediately.
Nox is one of the most respected people in this district, hailed for his physical prowess which inspires all of the youth and upcoming careers. More importantly he's my brother, my twin brother being "older' by 15 minutes. Mostly everyone here knows not to mess with him, he's been standing up to bullies ever since he was a kid and just loves coming to my aid when he thinks I'm in trouble. I hate that shit! I may not be nearly as strong or talented as he is but I can still take anyone here who thinks they can stand up to me. He needs to stop treating me like I'm some damsel in distress, I'm not weak!
"Nyx…" he turns around to face me.
"What you're going to try giving me another lecture? Did I ever say I needed your fucking help!?" I fire at him.
"He was going to attack you…" Nox states.
"And if he did so what? I would've just put him right on his ass! I had it taken care of, I don't need you playing fucking hero for me, now get out of my face!" I hiss at him and he only narrows his eyes again and grunts before walking off and I let out a loud sigh before putting my jojo hat back on me.
"Give him a break Nyx, he's your brother." My best friend Monica swoops beside me and I roll my eyes.
"I know that Monica, it's just, I don't know." I lie. He stormed through all of his competition and won with ease, but look at me just getting humiliated. I envy him for his strength, and it makes me bitter so I usually just use him as my scape goat for everything.
I can already hear my mom yelling in my ear why I didn't wash the dishes, I'll just blame Nox saying he made all of those dishes after I already washed them, which isn't true but whatever.
"Let's take a walk outside, It stinks in here!" She curls her nose and I laugh, agreeing with her.
Monica is my best friend, we've been friends ever since we were small kids and we're usually always together, becoming known as the deadly duo around the district. They totally need to come up with a better name for us though!
"You punched her in the boob though? Sheesh Nyx that crap hurts!" She states.
"I was supposed to look strong out there, to pick up on the momentum my brother built, I got too cocky though…" I admit.
"Well yeah, Roxanne is no joke and you came in dressed like you're going to some party out in the capitol." She responds.
"I'm aware of that, no need to rub it in." I sigh.
"Still, Nox looked great though, I don't think anyone can stop him!" She blushes. She's been in love with Nox for the longest. She never mustered up the courage to tell him but I doubt he'd even notice if she did. He's way too busy training with his best friend to be dating girls.
"Yeah I bet…" I mumble. I want to be strong like him. I'll probably never admit this to him, but I wish I was…
"So you know if he's single yet?" she blushes even more.
"Why don't you ask him? He won't turn down a fine piece of ass like yourself." I grin.
"Shut up!" She playfully hits me on my shoulder. He'd be insane to turn her down, maybe I'll set them up though.
"Anyways what you got planned tonight?" Monica asks.
"I was going to hang out with Chester, but I'm just going to head home now, need to sleep off my embarrassment." I sigh. Chester is my "secret" boyfriend. Monica is literally the only person who knows about him and he's a great guy, just wish he'd be willing to break the rules a little more often. I practically have to beg him whenever I want us to drink, smoke or stay out late together partying. I'm a rebel, he's more of a geek who follows everything to a tee but we still somehow mesh well together.
"Well don't beat yourself up too much over it. I know you can beat her if you take things more seriously, anyways girl, you know how to reach me." Monica tells me and we kiss each other on the cheek before going our separate ways.
I smack her behind as she begins walking away and she tries smacking mines back but I manage to dash away before she can touch me.
"Love you girl!" I blow a kiss to her.
"Yeah wait till I see you next time!" She playfully threatens me.
I head home afterwards and it only takes me a couple of minutes to get there. My mom is the mayor's assistant so she's usually always out and my father is just your run of the mill business man here in this district. Me and my dad are really close, he never gives me any shit. My mom always makes sure I get an earful though.
"Nyx! Why is your room such a mess!" My mom pretty much shouts in my ear as soon as I walk Into the house.
"Nox was in there looking for something, he must've messed it up!" I lie and my mom growls.
"That Nox! Oh he is so grounded!" My mom states and I only let out a small chuckle before heading upstairs.
I feel kind of bad how I lashed out at Nox so I knock on his door and no answer.
"Nox? It's your twin!" I knock. We're identical, both stand at the same height, well he's probably an inch taller but you can barley tell the difference. We both have some muscle on our frame and we're built well. He weighs about 20 more lb. than me but we both have olive skin and emerald green eyes.
His hair is short cropped and reddish blonde while I have a my pinkish blonde hair in a bowl cut with a fade.
After he doesn't answer, I just walk into his room and see he's standing outside on the balcony staring at the moon so I go over and join him.
"Hey Nox…" I greet him standing next to him and he looks over at me but seems to be in deep thought.
"Oh hey…didn't expect you to be here so early tonight." He tells me.
"Well yeah. big day tomorrow, especially for you ." I smirk but he frowns a bit.
"Actually…I've been thinking about it, I may not volunteer after all." he admits and I'm pretty shocked.
"What do you mean?" I question him raising one eyebrow.
"I don't know i, I guess I just don't want to leave you." He states.
"Oh please, I'll be fine, you're going to go out there, win and we'll move into a nice mansion together!" I try and cheer him up.
"Hmm, I'll have my mind made by tomorrow, I'm just not feeling it right now though. You know?" He looks over at me.
"Well no but yeah I'll respect whatever you decide big brother." I pat him on his stocky shoulder.
"Thanks Nyx, I appreciate it." He smiles.
"And uhmm…" I begin.
"Hmm?" He asks.
"I'm sorry about earlier, lashing at you like that. Yeah I know I'm your sister, you just want to make sure I'm safe, that's what any good brother will do. It's just a little embarrassing. I…I just want to be perceived as strong, not some weakling who needs your aid every time I'm in a pinch." I confess and he nods.
"I understand, in that case I apologize too Nyx. I know you have a lot of pride, you are strong though. Believe that and there's nothing anyone can do or say that'll make you think otherwise." He confidently tells me and I laugh a bit but I also feel my eye's starting to swell a little. It's a really weird feeling. I'm happy but I feel like crying too, I look up to him though, Nox is not just my brother, but my hero…
"Yeah, I guess you're right about that, I'm heading to bed though, I'll see you in the morning Nox, and look if you don't want to volunteer then don't ok? You made a good point, fuck what everyone else thinks, you do what you want and everyone can either support that or fuck off!" I say and he laughs a bit.
"Well said sis, have a good sleep though!" he tells me.
"Yeah same to you big bro!" I pat his shoulder again and go off to my room that's literally right next door to his and rip off all these fancy clothes I have on me before throwing myself on my bed. Remembering his words makes my eyes water. Him telling me I'm strong, I will never forget that...
Nox Nyctores,17, District 1 male
"Hrrgh!" I let out a battle cry breaking through my best friend's guard with my large mace and he gasps aloud nearly losing his balance but he counters and I block his strike and i also counter but he blocks me as well and we separate for a moment both our breathing getting pretty heavy as we've been sparring for probably a half an hour now. We both give each other a nod of respect and rush at each other with our plastic maces and he swings at me but I swing my mace at his legs which trips him onto the floor and bring my plastic mace down on his face.
"Arrgh you got me! Good fight buddy!" Mika commends me and I extend my hand to him and pull him up to his feet as we take some deep breathes together.
"Giving me a great fight as always, appreciate it Mika!" I down an entire bottle of water while he does the same.
"Always a pleasure buddy! I'm getting even stronger though, I might beat you one of these days!" he smiles.
"Well yeah that wouldn't be farfetched, that's why I just need to keep training harder, can't have you one upping me." I laugh.
Mika is my best friend, he used to be a small scrawny kid and got bullied a lot when we were kids. After I stood up to one of his main bullies, we became good friends and no one ever messed with him again. He began to bulk up, train more and he got bigger and bigger until we were almost the same size. We spar a lot together though and they usually last for quite a while since we're pretty evenly match. We have some draws but I usually come out on top after a grueling battle.
"Fair enough, bet I'll whoop you after you come back as victor!" He exclaims and my smile fades away, I know I won the tournament and all but to be honest, I only joined because I wanted a good fight, not because I wanted to volunteer for the hunger games.
"You're not smiling anymore, did I say something wrong?" Mika asks with some concern.
"No…hey look Mika. I might not be volunteering today." I admit and he gives me a pretty shocked look.
"What? Nox you trained your whole life for this, you're the best fighter we have here! If anyone can walk into that arena from here and come back out of it, it's you!" He states.
"I know that, well I guess I do, I just don't want to leave my family behind. I don't want to leave you and Nyx. I don't want to leave you guys and probably never come back." I admit.
"Nox we'll be fine, Nyx can take care of herself and me, hey I'll just be training to kick your ass WHEN you return, c'mon man everything will be cool." He tries to encourage me but I'm pretty conflicted.
"Yeah…I'll think about it." I dismissively state.
"You can't try backing out of this now Nox, I mean you joined the tournament and wiped out everyone there." He reminds me.
"You know I only joined for a good fight." I also remind him.
"Well…yeah I guess you have a point but still, all this training and hard work, do you remember when you first joined the academy?" he asks and yeah I do remember. I didn't know how to do anything. I constantly got crushed by anyone I went up against that was even remotely decent and for a while I was just simply trying to survive the grueling training. I eventually began to adjust and hone my skills and I quickly became more well known as a prospect who's skills continued to blossom.
My name started becoming more and more well known and it's pretty much a house hold name in this district now. I don't let the recognition get to my head though. Don't get wrong, I appreciate the praise and respect I'm shown but I also just try and be humble, I know being an arrogant prick will do nothing but work against you.
"Yeah, I do." I answer.
"See what I mean? all this training and hard work only for you to walk away now? I know you're better than that." He continues trying to convince me but checks his watch.
"Shit I need to help my mom get ready, see you at the square though man!" Mika rushes out of the facility and I return both of the weapons back to their station.
Mika's mom has been ill for a long time and needs almost constant care. She used to be so strong and full of life, but she was diagnosed with a terminal illness and I'm afraid she doesn't have much time left…
I should head home though, It'll be time to head to the square soon.
As I'm walking towards my home, I'm stopped by numerous people.
"Hey Nox, so you're volunteering today! Can't wait to see you bring home the victory!" one of them cheers.
"Thanks, I won't let you guys down." I confidently say and continue walking towards my home. When I arrive, I see my sister who's now dressed in a navy blouse that looks like it was just bought. I recall seeing that outfit in one of the capitol ads on television not long ago.
Anyways she's standing near the kitchen with her best friend Monica who's face is turning pink as she's gawking at me with a covered up pan in her hand.
"Oh, what perfect timing!" Nyx teases Monica who playfully hits her.
Monica usually always freezes up around me, but I almost never speak to her. Mika is convinced she has a crush on me but I doubt it, if anything she seems afraid of me…
"Oh..uhmm h-hey Nox!" Monica stutters as she hesitantly walks up to me.
"Good morning Monica, how are you?" I greet her back.
"I'm fine, just thinking about you- oh uhmm I mean just thinking about today errrgh congrats on winning the tournament and being the volunteer for this year!" she nervously states as her face turns a darker pink.
"Thank you." I nod to her and prepare to head upstairs.
"W-wait! Nox…" she stutters again and I turn around to face her.
"i…I made you pepper steak! Nyx told me how much you love it so uh yeah I made you a pan to commemorate you!" she nervously say. Wow I really do love steak, I might have to eat this entire thing before I get dressed.
"Wow…wow thanks. I really do appreciate it!" I smile as she hands me the tray and gives me a kiss on the cheek which I find a little odd.
"Anyways Nyx, s-see you at the square bye!" Monica nervously waves to Nyx walking right into a wall and me and Nyx only awkwardly look at her. She then opens the front door, dashes out and me and Nyx look back at each other.
"How long is it going to take you to notice?" She grins at me.
"Notice what?" I honestly answer.
"Bro, she totally has the hots for you! She made you fucking pepper steak! You know how hard that is to make!?" she exclaims and that catches me off guard, Monica has the "hots" for me?
"What?" I ask getting a little confused.
"She likes you! She wants to hang out with you! Get to know you a little better and go from there, gosh do you know how to read the signs from a lady when she likes you?" She laughs.
"Well uh…" I nervously scratch my head. I've honestly never had a girlfriend or even thought about having one as much, I'm always too busy training.
"Take her out somewhere, like tonight since you aren't volunteering. Just about every girl here is drooling all over you, but you're too busy training to notice, I'll help you out though. I know all the right buttons you can push! After the reapings you're going to ask her out for frozen yogurt tonight, and get her the blueberry one since it's her favorite!" she orders me.
"Should I like write this in a notepad or something?" I nervously ask and she sighs.
"We'll talk more about it later, just hurry and get dressed Mom and dad already left so we need to get ready to head out as well!" She begins pushing me up the stairs.
"Yes ma'am…" I answer her and head into my room sitting the warm steak on my dresser, I'll just eat this when I get back. After looking myself in the mirror, I figure I'll just change into a clean academy outfit, so I take off these sweaty ones and take a quick shower before throwing on clean ones. Once I'm ready, I head downstairs and see Nyx already left, guess I took a little too long…
Anyways I head out and reach the square within a few minutes and the intros are just now finishing. Theres a long line of people waiting to get checked in but most of them notice my presence and just allow me to skip them.
"Whoa it's Nox! Let him go first! He's our victor this year after all!" a youngster at the front of the line motions me to his spot.
"Thank you, I appreciate it!" I thank him and once I get checked in, join the 17 year old male section as they respectfully acknowledge my presence and make space for me.
"Hey you heard the news right? Roxanne can't volunteer today since she got injured yesterday…"
"Wow really? Whose going to volunteer then?" I hear two guys across from me conversing. I'm almost certain that injury was due to Nyx hitting her in the chest…
"Now let's begin! We'll start with the males this time around!" Valentina our usual escort happily shouts and walks over to the male's bowl before pulling out a name.
"Mika Sanders!" She calls and my eyes widen slightly. Mika? What?
I hope it's a different Mika, but my prayers aren't answered when I see my muscular best friend confidently walking up to the stage, he's strong and is obviously capable of winning, but his mom…she's sick and she needs her son.
Mika is smiling and all, he's expecting me to volunteer for him but I can still tell he doesn't want to leave his mother behind, i guess I have no choice then...
"I volunteer!" I announce and begin marching up to the stage. I pass by Mika and he gives me a proud nod, if only he knew the truth, that I would've actually preferred to sit the games out this year…
"Wonderful a volunteer! Who might you be handsome young man?" Valentina winks at me.
"Nox Nyctores, your next victor of the 82nd hunger games." I assure her and I can hear chants of my name beginning.
"Hmm you seem pretty popular, try not to die! Anyways let's go over to our females!" She struts to the female's bowl and I remain in a confident posture looking ahead as the chants continue.
"Monica Harshal!" She announces, this can't be real like Monica? Nyx's best friend Monica?
Monica is tough but she isn't going to last very long and since Roxanne won't be able to volunteer, she's probably out of luck, I'll try and protect her though. She gives me a nervous look and stands next to me but no one has offered to volunteer.
"Any volunteers?" Valentina questions
"I volunteer as tribute!" I hear Nyx as she begins rushing to the stage. No Nyx...dammit!
She arrives on the stage as Monica is escorted back and I can't even hide the disappointed look on my face.
"Nyx…" I motion to her with gritted teeth.
"W-wow you two look just a like, identical even! You two are twins?" Valentina asks in a shocked tone.
"Well yeah it's pretty obvious right? Anyways the name is Nyx Nyctores…" she declares and looks at me to see me still giving her a downed look, I'm not really sure how to react, my sister going into the arena with me. I know she only wanted to protect Monica but one of us are going to die in the best case scenario so either way this isn't going to end well.
"Well there you have it! Please welcome our twins representing district 1! Shake hands you two!" Valentina announces and me and Nyx both look at each other, give each other a firm handshake and that's when we're escorted towards the justice building.
She's walking slightly ahead of me and I can tell she doesn't want to make eye contact with me right now.
"Nyx…" I call to her.
"Not now Nox…" she dismisses me and continues walking ahead and I ball my fists. Never would I have imagined this, but I'm prepared to take my own life if it means Nyx gets to live!
Here are our two tributes for district 1! Nox and Nyx. I had a ton of fun writing these two and can't wait to revisit them! Anyways guys i hope you are all warm and staying safe! As always i want to thank you all for your reviews and feedback, it really does light me up seeing a review so thanks again! Anyways the next chapter will be out soon and I'll see you guys then, till next time!