I don't own Hunger Games or any of it's characters.
…
When it comes to the Reaping it is a rule that unless the tribute is under the age of fifteen no one is to Volunteer. This year Gloss and Cashmere are going to mentor by themselves instead of my Dad going with them. I'm now seventeen with only one reaping left after this one. Considering that the Quarter Quell is after I doubt that I would get reaped. Especially with the problems that the victors are causing since Annie Cresta won the 70th games.
Everyone knew that because of her breakdown that there were going to be problems in the up and coming games. Johanna Mason was the winner of the 71st Games her whole family died when she unintentionally insulted the capitol. Now she is an angry woman with nothing to lose. Then came the 73rd games where a tribute from seven started to eat all of the others. Luckily it was killed by a tribute from four when it made it to the final two.
This year's games will either add fuel to the embers of rebellion or douce them in water. Something the Capitol most importantly Snow knows all too well. The 74th Hunger Games will be deciding the outcome of Panem.
…
I wake up to two small bodies jumping on top of me.
"Wake up Marvel! Wake up it's Reaping day! No more sleeping!" The twins started yelling while jumping on me.
"Five more minutes…" I mumbled pushing them off the bed.
I wait for Chloe to explode only to be met by silence. When it comes to the twins their personalities are the opposite of what they look like. Chloe had a quick temper and was very energetic. She had a heart face shape with big eyes. Pair that with her expressive hazel eyes and wavy golden blond hair she looked like a shy angel.
Brady had a chubby face like I used to have, but I could see how it would turn into mine and Dad's sharp jawline. He had Dads dirty blond hair and I'm guessing his mothers sky blue eyes. He looks playful and athletic. Brady is smart and tactful but very lazy. He would do everything with minimal effort.
In the yearly family photos we take Rosie, Finnick, and I are the odd man out with our milk chocolate and bronze hair compared to Cashmere, Gloss, Haymitch, Brady, Chloe, and Dad's blond hair. Rosie had wavy milk chocolate hair with big sea green eyes. Her love for bows made her round face look even cuter.
The twins were the devil in disguise when they wanted to be. With Brady's intellect and sharp eye Chloe could use her looks with his information to convince someone to touch the electrical fence. So even half asleep I knew that when Brady got Chloe to not blow a fuse that means he's got something.
"I mean if you don't want to get up that's okay. We will just go get Rosie while Dad makes breakfast in the kitchen…alone." Brady says before they start leaving.
'Good more sleep while Dad makes breakfast…Dad…makes…breakfast…' I think to myself as I go back to sleep.
"OUT OF THE WAY! He's going to poison us!" I yell as I jump over the twins so I could save breakfast.
Now don't get me wrong Dad could make food. As long as he only has to put it in the oven. I have been cooking for everyone since my mother died. The first time he cooked anything he burnt the substance. I mean substance not food cause food is edible. What he served was scrambled eggs. There was chocolate, onions, hot sauce, gummy bears, and cheese on them. He also scrambled them with juice. Yeah nasty.
I made it just in time. Snatching the mixing bowl from him. Turning off the stove. I looked around my kitchen only to see a disaster zone. Flour, eggs, and some questionable items were on every surface. I turned my head away from the mess to look into what breakfast was supposed to be. Black sludge.
"Dad what is this supposed to be?" I asked half curious half not wanting to know.
"Pancakes." Dad said.
"…No…just no. Go get the monsters dressed. I'll be up there later to do the girls hair." I say to him as I take everything he used to put in the sink.
I focus on getting everything cleaned while also making pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns.
This year is my second to last one. The twins still have four years and Rosie nine. You would think that being a victor's kid you aren't reaped well that's not true. Everyone from 12-18 years old has their name put into a bowl separated into male and female. Each year one male and female tribute is reaped from each district to participate in the Hunger Game. Twenty-four kids go in and only one comes out. The Hunger Games is used to flaunt the Capitol (Snow's) power. The chosen ones are prepared to the capitols standards when they arrive and are dressed up in what their districts stand for. 1 luxury, 2 armory, etc.
Then the parade where they show off all of the tributes. Every single one of them looked ridiculous. District 1 - 4 are the ones that have the most victors only because of the training we do to prepare for the games. Uncle Mitch always says that the only reason that he was the only victor was that not one tribute has tried to survive. The outer districts resign themselves to losing their tributes.
The whole point of the Interviews and Training scores are for the sponsors, the capitol citizens. Without them, good looks, or something that makes you stand out you have no chance whatsoever. The Hunger Games are not an honor or some kind of retribution. They are used to keep us in line.
I'm pulled from my thoughts when Rosie barrels into me after I finish setting the table.
"Why good morning to you to pup." I say as I pick her up smiling when she giggles.
"Alright everyone, we got Pancakes, Eggs, and Hashbrowns so eat up. We have to leave in two hours. Dad and Brady since you are both dressed and ready you two have clean up duty. I will get the girls ready first then myself. Now hurry up and eat before it gets cold." I announce serving Rosie.
Everyone followed my instructions and we were out of the house before time ran out. It's tradition for us to walk to the justice building an hour ahead of time since Dad had to be there early. The twins and Rosie walked in between Dad and I. I chose to ignore the looks or awe and envy that were on every person that we passed. I don't blame them, Dad and I were handsome. Him in a Black t-shirt, Navy blue blazer, and slacks they brought out his eyes and showed off the muscles he had. Then I had on Dark green dress shirt with black tie and slacks. Also showing off my muscles and eyes.
The twins decided to match. Brady wore a blue dress shirt with khakis and Chloe had on a green dress with a white bow tied into the braided bun I put her hair in. Rosie wore a baby blue dress that made her blue eyes even bigger. I braid a crown on her head tying it with a white ribbon like Chloe's bow.
I had to admit if I were one of them I too would be jealous of how beautiful our family looks compared to them. Unlike last year I left the kids with Dad so I could get checked in. Feeling the sun on my back I was glad I decided to roll up my sleeves. After half an hour the sections were filled and the reaping began.
Our Escort was a woman who had been with us since Finnick's win. She went on about the hunger games and all of that. I zoned out till she introduced the mentors this year. Clapping politely when Gloss and Cashmere make their speeches I already knew that being a mentor is like being an executioner.
Even though I had a smirk on my face I was frowning when she called Glimmer. Don't get me wrong she is pretty but she is also a backstabbing lying bitch. She would pretend to be helpless before she bashed you head in with a mace. I would hate to be her partner.
"Now for the male tribute… Marvel Breckon!" The escort announced.
My body went on autopilot grinning while sauntering to the stage. My mind was running wild trying to figure out how this had happened.
'How did this happen Dad has done everything He asked. I know that he could make sure I wasn't chosen. So why this couldn't have been by chance. If it was a punishment the best way would be to put me in the Quarter Quell my last year. It's on the tip of my tongue. Okay facts I Marvel Breckon have been reaped for the 74th Hunger Games. I am the son of the 49th Victor Alexander Breckon. I will be a Legacy tribute. Legacy tribute. Second generation Victor. The rebellion on the horizon. By putting me in the Games it would show that even Victor's children can be reaped. We are the closest thing to a Capitol citizen. If I win without my father as a mentor it would prove that even the children that are like capitol citizens are chosen and have to survive like a regular tribute.
It's also risky. I am the first victor's child to be reaped. It seems more like a warning to the Victors but other people will see how even if you won you can't save your family from the same fate. So what is Snow playing at? I was reaped for a reason. It doesn't matter right now though. I need to focus on getting out of these sick games mostly intact.' I thought of snapping back to reality when I'm finally on the stage.
"We have two very good looking tributes this year ladies and gentlemen. Now shake hands. I present our tributes for the 74th annual games." She announced as we shook hands.
When we looked in each other's eyes I don't know what Glimmer saw but she flinched and ripped her hand out of mine. Then we were escorted into the Justice building for our half hour to say goodbye.
I wasn't surprised when the twins burst into the room. I was surprised when they started balling. They both are very strong the last time I saw them cry like they were now was when they lost Rosie at the park. I got very angry when Cashmere showed up with Rosie saying she was wandering around the square. I was going to chew the Twins out but when they got there they burst into tears when they saw her apologising in between their sobbs.
"I can't promise anything. I won't say that I will win and come home. I can't say that but I will try my best. So no more tears I don't want the few minutes we have spent crying." I say trying not to cry.
No one says anything we just hold on to each other until it's time for them to leave. I try not to cry when I watch them leave for what probably is the last time. I turn away from the door when it opens again.
"Marvel look at me." My Dad says when the doors close behind him and Rosie.
Turning around I freeze when he pulls me into his arms. I haven't been hugged since my mother died. Thinking about her I burst into tears. Dad holds me as I ball we both know that I can't lose it when I get on that train. I need to be focused and put together when I walk out of this room.
I stop crying and pull away. Luckily there is a sink in here. I wash my face before picking Rosie up and sitting on one of the chairs. We sit in silence for a while. Only when they open the doors again and it's time to leave is when he says something.
"Remember what is important Marvel." He says as he hands me a locket.
I look at Mom's locket. She would wind it up and sing to the melody it would play. Inside were four picture slots. Two were filled. One had the last picture we took with Mom. The other had the last family picture.
'Remember what is important.' I think as I slip the locket on plastering a smile on my face when I step out of the room.
…
The train is as extravagant as My family said it was. It probably cost more than our house. As soon as we get on I head to the couch where I turn on the TV. On Reaping day District Twelve is picked first then Eleven and etc. They do that so we are the last ones done and the outer districts get to the Capitol the same time we do. That also means they air the Reapings as soon as they are done filming.
Everyone sits down just in time to see Caesar Flickerman come on.
"Welcome everyone. This year we will begin watching the reapings together. Now let's start with District One." Caesar Announces.
The escort calls out Glimmer
"Glimmer she looks so pretty and bubbly. I love her energy already."
I come sauntering up the stage. I notice what freaked Glimmer out so much. My whole being radiated smug satisfaction but my eyes were burning with my cold fury. Luckily you don't notice if you aren't looking at them.
"Did she say Breckon as in Alexander Breckon's son? Wow ladies and gentlemen our first ever Legacy tribute. He definitely is a looker just like his Father. I guess good looks run in the Family."
They move on to District two. The female tribute was a volunteer. She was tiny but one look at her and you know she was a born killer.
"Clove she is tiny but you can see how vicious she is just by looking at her."
They don't even call out the tribute's name before someone Volunteers. I tense as a big hulk that barely qualifies as a teenager comes stalking up the steps.
"My he sure is a big fella. Cato was it, he looked like he could crush concrete. Not a bad looker with his Blond hair and blue eyes."
They moved onto District Three. Cato was a predator and would be one of the last tributes left but he would never be a Victor. One thing that all the Victors had was a presence and Cato did not have it.
Nothing catches my eyes from the other Districts but I make sure to memorise all of their names and faces. District Eleven comes up and this little twelve year old skips up to the stage trying to put on a brave face.
"Oh isn't she so precious. Little Rue looks so sweet and so young."
It pissed me off when no one volunteered to take her place. Just letting a little girl die because she was unfortunate. I stop thinking when the Male tribute walks onto the stage. He was even bigger than Cato. Rue looked like a twig compared to him.
"Now that is a tribute that will cause trouble in the future. Look how big he is and his name is Thresh scary."
"Can we change the channel there is no need to watch District Twelve all they will have is weaklings." Glimmer says while reaching for the remote.
"No, that big guy from Eleven was not expected. Twelve could surprise us. Sit down and watch Glimmer." Gloss said, glaring at her when she hesitated.
Twelve sure did meet those expectations. Just when the little twelve year old angel reached the stage a brunet goes and VOLUNTEERED for her.
"I'm not seeing things am I? That girl just volunteered for sister. The first Volunteer from twelve since well ever! That certainly is surprising and what was that thing they did with their fingers?"
I could see it in the way Uncle Mitch, Cashmere, and Gloss perked up when she looked at him and the camera. You could see her eyes on fire with her fury. How her whole presence took up the entire screen. She was it, she was the tipping point she needed to be -no- she WAS going to be the next Victor. No matter what it takes.
…
When we make it to the Capitol I am the first to get off. I make sure that I'm smiling and waving. Throwing in some compliments to the richer looking ones that didn't leer at me like a piece of meat. I want to win but I won't be made into my Dad, sell my body and all that. Well if I come out any way. I already know that just seeing her has given Gloss and Cashmere hope is almost enough. Just need to check a couple of things before I commit to this.
…
I try not to scream as the vultures -that say they are my prep team- rip all of the hair from my body with the exception of my hair and eyebrows. At the end of it I compliment them saying how I have never felt cleaner. They gushed saying I was a lot better than the last tribute.
That kinda makes me angry. I just hope that they don't look too closely at my eyes. I'm guessing that when I get angry you could see it even a little no matter how hard I try. I don't get angry often but when I do the jokester and caring brother are nowhere to be seen. My family after the first time I got truly furious told me that the blue flecks in my eyes get more pronounced like it was freezing over. Also that even though my body looks relaxed I was like a predator ready to pounce. Just having me look at them it feels like I'm burning them from the inside out with how cold my gaze was.
They left me stark naked with a flimsy blanket to keep my manly bits. I have got to say I really don't like this. Let's hope that this stylist won't actually make me look like a girl. I sit up looking at the door when someone comes in. A woman about 5'3 looks at me. She actually looks pretty normal. She had a light skin tone and blond hair with black streaks. Her eyeshadow was the only capitol thing. She almost looked normal.
"I'm Lexis. I am your stylist for your time here. You can put this robe on if it makes you feel more comfortable." She says in a monotone voice handing me a robe.
I study her for some time. It looks like she has a different opinion about the capitol. I'm guessing from the monotone voice and dull look in her eye also the fact that she is working as District One's stylist that she just may have given up. Only one way to know now.
"If you don't mind I kinda want to not be looked at as a sex toy or as a push over. I need a happy medium to go with the selfish idiot thing I was looking to act like. I mean no one wants to get into the pants of a jokester. I need the type of sponsors that will stay with me even if I lose the act or maybe if I add something unexpected. I want people to believe that the person behind the mask is the real me." I say looking her straight into the eyes.
I knew that she saw my anger when her spark came back and her eyes got wide. I grinned when I saw a mischievous look sparkle in her eyes.
"I would have to scrap what your tribute partner's stylist planned. Just saying that pink is not your color." She says before storming out of the room.
Normally I would be worried that maybe we would miss the parade since she was starting something that is probably completely different from what was originally made. I had the feeling that she will make me look incredible. Also that it won't be made from scratch.
…
An hour and a half later she shows up with a one piece suit. It was sleeveless and the torso was covered in white feathers. The pants were black and made of a material that lightly shimmered when it caught the light. Lastly with knee high black boots. After she put me in all of it she put some makeup that made me look tougher when I didn't smile but also made me look boyish when I did smile. Lastly some silver looking stuff in my hair.
"This is perfect, it's everything I asked for Lexis." I say as we make our way to the chariots.
When I got there I realised that we were the second to last ones to make it since Twelve was still not here. Lexis fixed my hair last minute before pushing me onto the chariot. Before we start moving out I notice that Glimmer's version is more proactive than mine with the low cut neckline and it looked more like a dress. It only went to her mid thigh with nothing else since I could see skin in between the top of her boot and the hem of the dress. I face forward grabbing the chariot with one hand as it started to move, plastering a smile on my face when we started moving.
I waved as the crowd started to cheer. After four came out they paused and started to screech Glimmer and I's names. I looked up at the projectors to see what they were screaming at only to see myself. I noticed that the feathers looked to have been frozen in a way that made them look like diamonds. That as we moved the 'ice' chipped off making a shimmering trail following and when some of them 'melted' they froze again. I was no longer smiling and the make up brought out the frosty anger in my eyes as well while my hair looked like it had ice in it. I looked through the crowd nodding without a smile at the richer looking citizens while waving and smiling at the rest.
I paused in waving and smiling when the crowd got silent again. I looked at the projectors to see the volunteer Katniss Everdeen on fire. The artificial flames made her glow and the shadows gave her a harder look but it was nothing compared to how her eyes were ablaze.
"She's beautiful." I accidently say right before the crowd goes wild.
I stopped smiling only nodding at the richer citizens that didn't leer at me. I hoped that no one heard my slip up. I noticed that Katniss took up half of the Projectors in her fiery glory while I took up the others with my frosty look. I ignored the President's speech peeking at Katniss from the corner of my eye. Only to catch her looking at me. I couldn't look away so I turned my head so I could give her my full attention. Turning back when the chariot started to move and started to wave and smile again.
After we got off I pulled Lexis into a bone crushing hug.
"I'm so glad you are my stylist if it weren't for you Twelve would have out shone us but now we are on par. I'm glad that you found a way to incorporate the ice gems that were known for." I said as I set her down before I actually crushed her.
"What do you mean Ice gem? We're known for luxury not ice!" Glimmer argued.
"If you were ever listening in class you would know that we got our Luxury label from mining Ice gems. They were rare but priceless. They are said to always be as cold as ice even if you heat them up. They shine as bright as diamonds and are even harder. They look like they're melting but they never do. We haven't found one in a while and the last one to be found is now in the possession of President Snow as a gift that was presented to him on his birthday." I spout off without even thinking about it.
Glimmer looked at me like I just turned into some kind of mutt. I knew I broke character but I didn't really care. All of the excitement has left me with the emotional drain from today. I could feel my anger just below the surface. Just one more thing would push me over the edge. I walked away from the chariot into the hallway with my eyes on the elevator. Not looking where I was going I knocked into something soft.
I grabbed onto the soft thing before it could hit the ground only out of reflex. I take my eyes off the elevator only to realise that the team from Twelve was in front of me. I was a little out of it so I was confused when most of them looked at me like I just signed my death sentence. What was more confusing was that Uncle Mitch had his head in his hands and was shaking his head mumbling something like 'disaster' and 'why now'.
I didn't realise that I pulled the thing that I knocked over into my chest until it started to squirm. I loosen my grip looking down at what I caught. Only for my Icy green eyes to clash with the silver Flames of Katniss Everdeen.
…
This is honestly not how I wanted to meet the now Famous Girl on Fire. I mean this is really bad. I had no energy to play games with her nor try to test her like I originally wanted to do. If I do anything now to try to get on her good side it would look cheap and like I was trying to get 'close' to her.
I wouldn't mind any other day but right now I just wanted to take a shower and sleep the night away. I could no longer play games or use my mask. So I did the reasonable thing and let her go nod at the others and continue to the elevator. That probably seemed like a douche move not even apologising but I was really tired and I had the feeling she would just throw it back into my face. So what came next wasn't really a surprise.
"I thought that the oh so mighty District One would have more manners than a brick wall." She mocked.
"Darling if manners got me anything then I certainly wouldn't be here. Besides I doubt you would actually accept my apology. Not like I would have given one any way." I say as I step into the elevator.
They also get on the elevator somehow ending up with Katniss and I on one side and them on the other with Uncle Mitch in the middle.
"You sure have gone quiet, spitfire got nothing to say?" I say as I press the 1st and 12th button.
"I don't have to say anything to you. You won't get things handed to you on a silver platter here." She says looking out the glass.
I grabbed her, spinning her so that I pinned her to the wall. Making sure to lock down her arms and legs in case she tried something.
"I haven't been given anything on a silver platter. If I want something I have to be strong enough to take it. I always get what I want no matter what gets in my way." I say as I press my body to hers.
I relish in how she fit perfectly against me before walking out of the elevator when the doors open. I put my hands behind my head as I walked away not looking back even though I could hear a little scuffle before the elevator doors closed.
Like I wanted to I took a shower and slipped on a pair of sweatpants before crawling into the bed falling asleep without giving a second thought to the mess I just created.
…
I wake up like I would if I needed to go to the academy. Before the sun comes up. I know that I will not get any more sleep. I drag myself out of bed. I start my morning exercises. They are the only way to wake up my head and body. After I finish showering, I get dressed in a t-shirt and shorts. It's when I make it to the kitchen when I remember what happened yesterday.
I groaned when I realised what I did. Not only did I look like a nerd to Glimmer but I also looked like a flirty ass to Katniss. Just perfect just what I wanted to do. I have almost single handedly blown my cover. Okay how to fix this. Well Glimmer will be easy I can just say that I wanted to know if I could get the gems myself and sell or have it.
Katniss looks like the kind of girl that will always rely on first impressions. So I can't fix anything with her. At least not when she is with other people. I can't believe I pinned her in front of her team. What is wrong with me? I acted so careless.
I continued my pity party until everyone sat at the table to eat breakfast. Various 'good mornings' coming from everyone. Just like I predicted Glimmer opened her mouth.
"So are you or are you not stupid?" She asked.
"Of course I'm not. Just because I have fun doesn't mean I can slack off on my studies I have a reputation to hold up you know." I say back after drinking some juice.
"Before we go to the training room can we watch the Parade comments? Or are they not doing reruns?" I asked as I finished my plate.
"Yes we could, they should be coming on in a couple of minutes." Gloss announces looking at the clock before finishing his plate.
We all moved to the sitting room with the TV. I turn it on just as Caesar comes on.
"Ladies and Gentlemen we will now play the reruns for those that missed it last night. Let me tell you, you missed a lot. I will play the footage with the commentary from last night so sit back and enjoy!"
"Alright everyone here comes District One they do look good don't they? Very sleek with the right amount of feathers. Then District Two well don't they look fierce. District Three very sciency. District Four is wearing a - oh what is this look at District One they look like they're covered in Ice. Oh my this must be inspired by the Ice Gem! For the people that don't know of it the Ice Gem is very rare but very beautiful. District One was known for mining the beautiful Gem that is even stronger than a diamond. The District One stylists have done an amazing job this year! Do you hear the crowd! It also looks like they favor the male tribute and I don't blame them he looks like a block of polished Ice. I'm getting chills just looking at him."
"Moving on looks like Twelve is coming out - they what!? They are on fire can you believe this! They look amazing, especially the female tribute even the other tributes agree."
"She's beautiful."
"I must say the Male tribute from one is right she is stunning. This year we have two favorites. The girl on fire from District Twelve and The boy carved out of ice from District One. Katniss Everdeen and Marvel Breckon Ladies and Gentlemen."
"Wow I all I have to say is wow! The two stars are completely opposites. Fire and Ice! I can't wait to see what they have in store for these games!"
"I can't believe they heard that!" I say as I put my head in my hands.
"That is not important - although we will talk about this later - you have just become one of the Capitals favorites this will change the whole plan." Gloss said dragging me away from the TV.
"Right now you two need to get ready for training. Marvel you will stick to the usual only Weapons today. We will discuss the rest tomorrow. Now hurry up before you're late." Gloss said before pushing me in my room.
All I could think of was what Katniss would think of me when I treated her one way on the elevator but said another on TV! I'm such an idiot.
