The drive to the Reaping takes around fifteen minutes, with my mother at the wheel of the family van, my father on the passenger side, and my siblings and I in the back. Along the way, my parents talk about our President's health and how it may impact this year's Games. Kazue, talkative as ever, chimes in occasionally, while I mostly stay quiet and just listen because I've never been that interested in politics. I do somewhat wonder what would happen if Waterson died, though.
We arrive at the parking lots set up for the Reaping and then walk towards Agora Square, the central place in District 2 where the Reaping is held every year. I hold Yuuma's hand, keeping watch of him, while Kazue holds the hand of our other brother Yuuta. I try not to notice the way some of the people around us give us second glances as we walk. Me and my family do indeed have darker skin than most of District 2, with my mother having light tan skin, my father's skin being dark brown, and my siblings and I having skin tones that are various shades in between. But really, it's definitely not unheard of for dark-skinned people to live in Two so I wish our appearance was less of a big deal.
"Do you remember what to do from last year, Mizuki dear?" Mom asks as we approach Agora Square.
"I do," I say with a confident smile. "I'll stand with the thirteen-year-old girls this time around but I'll still meet you all at our car after the Reaping is over."
"Right," Mom says as we reach the place where we go our separate ways for the event. She gives me a quick kiss on the forehead. "I'll see you later. You too, Kazue, go find your friends."
I give my father, brothers, and sister hugs before getting in line with some other thirteen-year-old girls. Gaia, Taiga, and Carlos don't check into this section, so I'm alone for now, though Gaia spots me on her way to the section of fourteen-year-old girls and waves at me. I wave back happily, though I wish Diana was here…
I check in with my name and get my finger pricked, which brings tears to my eyes but I've always had a pretty high pain tolerance. I stand into the section of thirteen-year-old girls and don't see Diana even as the Reaping begins.
At four, the Mayor takes the stage to introduce the audience to the Hunger Games. I've seen the video many times before, and I zone out a little until the Mayor introduces the two mentors who will work with the tributes this year. District 2, being a Career District, has five Victors, more than any other District. This year's Mentors are Valor Smith, the legendary Victor of the 2nd Games, and Julia Yamaguchi, the powerful Victor of the 24th Games. Valor and Julia sit in chairs set up on the stage.
With the Victors introduced, the Mayor welcomes the escort to have the floor. Honoria Marcus strides confidently onto the stage, and the District gives her a big round of applause. The middle-aged woman, who if I remember correctly has been District 2's escort since the very first Games, is a person who always commands the utmost respect from everyone around her. She's a bit intimidating this year in her dark gray suit and golden tie, though her maroon updo and light blue skin are familiar.
"Hello, District 2," Honoria says once the applause has died down. "As many of you know already, I'm Honoria Marcus, and I'm proud to be your escort for the 29th Annual Hunger Games. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor."
I join in with another round of applause that quickly dies down as Honoria continues.
"Let us now proceed with the Reaping and meet our two tributes," she says. "District 2, it's time to find out which two brave young people will be competing in the Hunger Games, the greatest and most honorable event in our proud nation of Panem. And, since we have started with the girls for the past twenty-nine years, I shall continue the tradition of Ladies First."
I watch as Honoria strides over to the Reaping Bowl with the girls' names. She dips her hand into the middle of the paper slips before choosing one and walking purposefully back to the microphone. She opens the slip of paper and I wonder who'll be the one who gets to go on stage before Athena Skyler volunteers.
"Mizuki Slater!"
A/N: Long time no see, but if you've checked my profile and other stories, you'll understand what's been happening. I hope this story will be a nice coping mechanism for everything that's been going on in my life.
Chapter Question: What do you think of Honoria, the District 2 Escort?
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