Hey y'all! How's everyone doing? Just so you know, I'm going off of my 6+ year old memories of the films and books. I haven't re-watched or re-read anything and don't plan to so there will be things that don't match the established canon or details that I get wrong or rewrite because I don't remember or don't like. I'm only saying this now in case some readers get up in arms about the changes I've made, especially since once we really jump into the story (like we will this chapter), there will be A LOT of changes.
I have a lot of plans because while I did like the series, it was too bogged down by the YA elements for the themes to really stick. Like, no joke, I read a blog review for The Ballad of Song Birds and Snakes and the lady actually wrote how she enjoyed the games aspects until she had kids of her own and realized how truly sickening they were like wtf? But I prefer not to go on a tangent again so let's just get this chapter started!
Like always, I enjoy any comments, except for those that are just full of negativity and not constructive at all. Just give me something to work with instead of just "It's bad." I also appreciate any positive constructive criticism since I'm always looking to improve my writing and storytelling capabilities.
Thanks for continuing to read this story! Virtual hugs and cuddles to y'all.
Disclaimer: I still do not own anything except any OC's that may come up, any worldbuilding that has not yet been officially stated by the books or the movies, and any plot points/structures that have not been used in the books or movies.
Warning: No beta, we die like Rue.
Chapter 6: May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor
By the time Katniss and Val return home, the sun is high in the sky and every Seam resident is awake and going about their business albeit with sluggish and reluctant movements as if they could somehow delay or stretch time by simply moving as slow as possible. They still exchange greetings with every resident they cross paths with though each side dare not engage in small talk for too long despite their wishes to treat the day like it's any other.
They all know better than to dilly-dally and waste any time that could be spent on more productive activities. There's no need to drag the day out longer than it has to be. The Reaping's already anxiety inducing enough as it is.
As the two step through the door, they are greeted with the sight of Mrs. Everdeen, no, Clara, wait still not right, their mother and Prim dressed in their nicest clean clothes, setting the table for a late breakfast.
"Oh! Welcome back you two," Mother says with a tired smile as she finishes placing plates and utensils.
"Welcome back!" Prim says excitedly, bouncing over to give them both a hug.
"Morning Prim," Katniss smiles gently at Prim though she only gives a cold nod of acknowledgement to mother.
Val sighs. Even after all these years, Katniss had still not forgiven her for shutting down when the children desperately needed her.
"She's just hurting and grieving in her own way. How would you react if you lost the one person you left everything you ever knew just for the love you shared?" Val had tried to explain back when Katniss demanded an explanation from their then catatonic mother on why she wasn't responding to them.
"She's not the only one who lost him. We did too! And it hurts just as much if not more that she won't even acknowledge that!" Katniss had angrily shouted in return before giving their mother another plea, another shake, anything to get her to acknowledge them. That was the last time she ever bothered to try and since then, even when their mother's mind returned, Katniss refused to forgive or forget.
"Morning you two." Val responds as he hands the bag of baked goods off to Prim. She takes it over to mother who in turn takes out and lays each item on the kitchen counter. Prim cheers excitedly when she spots the clear bag of cookies with delicate floral frosting designs.
"You can thank Peeta for that," Katniss told her, "He wanted to make it extra special for you."
"I'll thank him when I see him later today then!"
"Shall we eat now?" Val asked.
Mother shakes her head, "Why don't you two clean up and change before you eat? I've laid down some clothes for you."
Val smiles gratefully at her while Katniss simply nods coldly again and stalks off to the bedroom without a word. His expression turns apologetic but mother merely gives a small rueful smile.
"It's alright. You don't need to apologize for her. I know she'll never forgive me, especially for what I did back then," she said.
"But it's been 4 years," Val protests, "That's too long to be holding a grudge. You've been doing your best to make it up to her ever since."
"That's just the way she is, dear, and I wouldn't want her to change just so she could forgive me for something I will always regret" mother evenly says, "Besides, it's that fire within her that draws people in and makes her so unique. Just like you."
Val is taken aback, "Me? Fire? I don't think so."
Mother chuckles, "And you two are very alike, never being able to see the effect you can have on people. I will be forever glad that Ed brought you back with him all those years ago. The District's become a much brighter place ever since you've become an official part of our family."
"I don't see it... I'm just a boy who's lost his family only to get a second chance to do right by his new one who was kind enough to take him in when they didn't have," Val responds.
Mother merely smiles and shrugs, "You better go clean up. Katniss should be done with the tub by now."
Val nods and heads off to the bathroom where indeed a clean Katniss wrapped in a long thin towel, stares at the articles of clothing on the bed. He takes a look himself and gapes. On the bed is a fine, light blue dress made of cotton that was clearly their mother's and a crisp clean white shirt and light brown slacks that was their father's. The clothes were much too clean and much too nice to be wearing to a Reaping.
Val turns to the open doorway where mother stands.
"We can't wear this," he tries to protest only to be cut off by her tsking.
"You can and you will. I want you both to look your best no matter the occasion," she replied.
Katniss nods, slightly teary eyed though it might just be a trick of the light since in the next blink the tears were gone.
Val sighs and rubs at the back of his head, "Alright. You win."
Mother grins triumphantly, "Good. Now go wash off. Time's a-wastin."
Val heads into the bathroom where a new tub of water sits, courtesy of Katniss. He strips himself of his clothes and slips into the lukewarm water. While he's scrubbing away the dirt from the woods, Val can't help but think about what Katniss and mother had said about him.
'Effect? What effect could they possibly be talking about?' he thought, 'I'm an ordinary boy from 2 now living in 12 and trying to make the best out of a bad situation. There's no effect to be had.'
He shakes his head, 'Ugh. I'll never understand women.'
Once he's done scrubbing, Val gets out of the tub to towel himself dry with another long, thin towel. He wraps it around his waist before heading back into the bedroom where the clothes await. He only hesitates for a moment before changing into them. Then he hesitates again once the feel of the shirt and slacks settles in. They are definitely of higher quality and reminds Val of the semi-formal wear he was always forced into when his family back in 2 went to special events. His heart pangs with the usual stab of grief for his lost family, though time and the Everdeens have greatly softened the impact.
Val straightens his shirt before leaving the bedroom. The Everdeen women are seated and waiting for him at the table.
"Finally," Katniss snarked, "I thought women were the ones who are supposed to take 3 hours to get ready."
"What can I say? It takes time to look as amazing as I do," Val grins cheekily while gesturing towards his body and face.
Prim giggles while Katniss fake gags. Mother smiles at the sight.
"Alright then! Let's eat," she says.
The family happily digs into their food. Val scarfs down cooked eggs and chews on sliced, freshly baked bread with various fruit jam spreads. Katniss happily chomps down on her cheese buns while Prim contentedly nibbles at her cookies. All food is washed down with fresh milk from Prim's goat, Lady. Buttercup sits on the windowsill, eyeing his humans like they're all barbarians for eating with their hands.
After they are all fed and watered, mother gathers the dishes while Katniss helps Prim get ready by the door. Val sees Katniss tuck in the back of Prim's shirt that had been sticking out like a ducktail.
"Tuck in your tail, little duck," Katniss teases.
Prim giggles, "Quack, quack."
Val hates to break up the moment, but he has to, "Time to go."
Katniss nods, her smile dropping and Prim stops giggling as fear slowly enters her heart. Val frowns and goes to crouch before her.
"It's going to be okay Prim. Nothing will happen to you. You wanna know how I know that?"
Prim shakily nods her head. Val pulls out his mother's pin. He rubs at its surface with a melancholic gaze.
"This pin was my mother's," Val explained, making both Prim and Katniss look at him with wide eyes, "And every time she wore it, she would have the best luck ever. She wore it when she got her first job, when she met my father, when I was born, and so much more. So it became her lucky pin."
Val holds it out to Prim, "And now it is yours."
Prim's eyes widen even further. She reaches out with hesitant hands. Val nods encouragingly and she takes it, gripping the pin tightly.
He smiles, "Whenever you're feeling scared, just hold that pin real tight and you'll always be safe."
Prim nods tearfully and hugs him. Val hugs back as Katniss and mother look on fondly. Unfortunately, time waits for no one and the two reluctantly let go. Val ushers the girls out of the house with mother following along at a slower pace.
They join the large crowd already making their way to the Justice Building plaza before separating from mother as the three Everdeen children line up for registration.
"It'll be super quick Prim. And then once you're through, you just keep your eyes on us. Even though we're all in different groups, Val and I will be close by," Katniss instructs an increasingly nervous Prim.
The three separate into their respective age and gender groups. Val makes sure to keep his eyes on Katniss and Prim, barely feeling the prick of the needle as he makes his way past the registration table.
Katniss' gaze darts between him and Prim. Prim calms once she's through and moves to an area within her group where she can still see and make eye contact with her siblings.
"You alright?" Gale's voice asks from right next to him.
Val prides himself in only jumping a little before turning to respond to him, "Yeah. Just worried about Prim since it's her first Reaping and all."
"Yeah. I get that. It's Rory's first one too and then we gotta go through the same song and dance once Vick and Posy get old enough."
Val goes to respond, hoping to calm Gale as he places a reassuring hand on his arm. He's unable to even get a word out when the click of heels and the screech of a microphone feedback rings throughout the plaza.
It's Effie Trinket in all her Capitol glory. This time she's wearing a bright yet somehow subdued magenta colored dress with puffy shoulders and a layered skirt. There's a large magenta rose placed in her expertly curled, platinum blonde hair. Her face is caked in white face powder and bright magenta lipstick.
Val drops his hand though Gale moves closer so that their shoulders touch in an attempt to reassure each other. Effie clears her throat and the crowd goes completely silent though the stares and glares coming from them speak volumes.
Not even a moment later, a video plays on the large screen behind her. It's the usual Reaping Day video. The one where the narrator goes on and on about how the Capitol is great entity that everyone in the Districts should bow and pray to like some sort of God. That the rebellion to overthrow it resulted in the complete destruction of the 13th District accompanied by what was supposed to be live or at least, recent footage of the district's ruined buildings. It's a barren wasteland that serves as a reminder to never attempt to rise against the Capitol again or else another district will meet the same fate. Then it all wraps up with a monologue about how the Games, while a reminder to not rebel, was a mercy that the Capitol so graciously granted. 24 lives of children and teenagers for the continued peace under the Capitol's benevolent hand.
It was sickening.
Thankfully the video ends and Effie clears her throat again while wiping her eyes as if a propaganda video from an oppressive military government was actually the amazing life of a cute little puppy.
"Well, wasn't that delightful?" Effie asks in a light yet completely serious and un-ironic tone.
No one answers because everyone fears the response if they even dare to speak what was truly on their minds. Effie takes the silence with a sniff of disdain towards what she perceives as the ingratitude of the District 12 citizens towards the merciful Capitol.
"Good morning, everyone!" she cries out cheerfully with her arms spread out.
No one applauses or makes a single sound.
Effie continues on, her voice cheerful and a bit pitchy, "Now I know you are all eagerly awaiting your chance to attain the honor of representing District 12 in the 74th annual Hunger Games. I, myself, look forward to meeting the lucky young man and woman who will be chosen to represent your fine district."
"So, without further ado, let us begin and may the odds be ever in your favor" she clasps her hands together with a bright smile, "As usual, ladies first."
She walks to one of the two round glass bowls containing a massive amount of folded paper slips and delicately sticks her hand into it. She circles her hand around playfully above the slips as if to build eager anticipation, before snatching one and walking back to the microphone stand. After placing the microphone back, she slowly opens the slip.
Val's hearts beats rapidly in anticipation, his eyes squeezed and hands clenched together in prayer as he whispers "Not Prim or Katniss. Not Prim or Katniss. Not Prim or Katniss," in a quiet mantra.
"Katniss Everdeen."
Val's heart stops. He opens his eyes and looks up in disbelief, the impact of the words yet to settle. His gaze darts about until he locks eyes with a rapidly paling Katniss who meets his gaze like a deer one second away from an arrow through the eye.
"Ms. Katniss Everdeen? Where are you?" Effie calls out playfully.
The girls around Katniss immediately step away, singling her out.
Effie waves an impatient hand at her, "Come, come Ms. Everdeen. Let us not dilly dally."
Katniss takes trembling steps forward but is stopped when Prim bursts through the sea of girls and clings to her side.
"No! Katniss! No! NO!" Prim cries out in despair.
Val and Gale move to them only to stop when Peeta appears and gently pulls Prim away from Katniss. He's whispering something to her, probably something comforting, before looking to Katniss. The two stare at each other, trying to memorize every detail of their faces and attempting to extend the moment as long as they can because it just might be the last time they'll see each other. Katniss surges forward and pulls Peeta into a passionate kiss. Val's heart clenches at the sight.
Effie, though pleasantly surprised by the display of love, grows impatient and signals the Peacekeepers to move. They march towards Katniss and yank her away from Peeta.
Prim cries out again, hand desperately reaching out to her sister, but she's still held back by Peeta who has his arms wrapped around her. Katniss goes to say something but decides not to and instead, lifts three fingers to her lips and salutes them out to Peeta and Prim.
Prim is now full on sobbing as Peeta responds by returning her gesture. Gale places a hand on Val's shoulder and it's only then that he realizes he's crying as well.
Everyone can only watch as the Peacekeepers escort Katniss up to the stands, only leaving her when she's next to Effie.
"What a passionate display! I do enjoy a good love story. It always makes the Games so much more exciting!" she exclaims, clapping excitedly to herself, "Now let us give a big round of applause to our female tribute, Katniss Everdeen!"
Again, no response. And again, their silence rings louder than spoken words as the citizens of District 12 stand together in solidarity.
Effie chuckles uncomfortably as the peacekeepers stand ready to intervene on her signal. She waves them off and they stand down.
"Well then," she continues but her demeanor shows she is clearly uncomfortable in a way she wasn't before, "Let's move on to the men shall we?"
She walks quickly over to the other bowl, heels click clacking on the wooden stage. The sound rings throughout the air but Val can't hear any of that. He's still staring in disbelief as Katniss continues to stand on the stage with her head held high and her fists clenched in an effort to hold back her tears.
When Effie reaches the bowl, she decides to forgo the previous playfulness and just snatches a slip of paper from the bowl without preamble. She swiftly turns on her heel and walks back to the microphone. With quick efficiency, she opens the slip and clears her throat.
"Peeta Mellark."
A collective gasp rings throughout the crowd as they start whispering to each other. Katniss clasps her hands over her mouth, her efforts to stop her tears are now in vain. Val's ears are ringing, his heart beating wildly as his mind struggles to register the name that was announced.
He turns to look at Peeta who's still with shock. The crowd around him quickly steps away so that Effie's able to immediately spot him.
"Well come on. Don't just stand there," she says, impatiently waving him over, "Come, come, come."
Peeta moves to step forward but is stopped by weight stuck to his side. He looks and sees it's Prim, pale, in tears, and tightly clutching onto his shirt. He gently removes her hands even as she's shaking her head, eyes closed as if it were all just a bad dream - her beloved sister and her future husband (at least in Prim's opinion), chosen like cows for slaughter.
Once she's no longer holding him, Peeta walks forward, his steps surprisingly steady considering the situation. It's only when he's halfway to the stage does the entire situation finish registering in Val's mind and a split second later, he reacts.
Gale, having caught his expression, tries to reach out and stop him, "Val, wait-"
Val ignores him and pushes his way through the crowd to the open pathway that split the girls from the boys. The commotion attracts the Peacekeepers' attention to him and they move to intercept. They grab him by the shoulders and try to forcibly push him back but he refuses to budge.
Katniss also notices him and realizes what he's about to do.
"Wait! Val don't-" Katniss tries to protest but she's too late.
"I volunteer!" he shouts.
The crowd grows quiet. The Peacekeepers drop their hands away from him in shock. Effie gapes like a fish, blinking in surprise.
Val holds his head high and speaks in a clear, unwavering voice, "I volunteer as tribute."
Prim tries to rush forward to Val but is blocked by Gale who quickly grabs her from behind. She's reaching out again, towards Katniss, towards Val, like she can draw them back to her through sheer will power. But unfortunately, it doesn't work. Prim's knees buckle in her despair with Gale the only person holding her up. Her crying voice sounds out like a death keel. Gale's suspiciously wet eyes meet Val's gaze. The two nod at each other, a silent conversation held within those few seconds.
Effie blinks in surprise before realizing she still has a job to do, "I...um...I believe we have a volunteer!"
Val looks away from Prim and Gale. He walks over to where Peeta stands, face ashen. He pulls him into a hug that has Peeta looking in surprise at the display of affection. "I'm going to make sure she gets back to you," Val whispers to him.
Peeta gapes as the words register, "What-no...Val you can't just-"
"I promised to myself that I would always protect my sisters' happiness no matter what. And besides," Val steps away to give Peeta a tight lipped smile, "No take backs."
Peeta can only stare as Val continues his steady walk to the stage. He glances around at the crowd watches him, staring wide-eyed at either his complete bravery or utter stupidity. His eyes meet Katniss' who, despite the tears, looks ready to tear Val a new one as soon as he stepped within arm's reach. It was almost comforting to see something so familiar despite his ill-advised leap into the unknown.
His heart thunders in his ears, blocking out all sounds, thumping in time with each step he takes. His breathing is surprisingly even, though that could be because if he allowed the situation to truly set in, he'd probably pass out from a panic attack.
Finally, he reaches the stage and takes the steps - one, two, three, four, five - up and towards Effie - six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, ha, twelve - who holds her hand out to welcome him.
"And what might your name be dear?" she asks, genuinely encouraging.
She directs him to answer into the microphone.
"Valerian Everdeen," he manages to choke out, looking out into the crowd and anywhere but at the people he loves who he knows are trying to wrap their heads around the fact that he willingly volunteered for a death sentence.
"Oh! So you're the lovely Ms. Everdeen's brother then? Well, that does explain it. You didn't want your sister to get all of the glory. I'm so excited! There's never been a sibling rivalry in the Games before," Effie chirps out, delighted at the information.
"First time for everything, right?" Val jokingly throws out, only for the joke to fall flat for everyone but Effie who giggles, "You're such charmer."
Val smiles like that's exactly what he was going for even though it really wasn't and everyone but Effie knows it. He chances a quick side-glance at Katniss and is met with the full force of a glare that promises pain and suffering and if he didn't shut his mouth, she'd punch him on live television. He starts praying that Effie will just jump straight to the end instead of doing the customary handshake.
Unfortunately for him, Effie notices Katniss' expression and smiles, "Why don't you two shake hands and be good sports before you start fighting each other. After all, you're not even in the arena yet!"
Val swallows thickly as he holds his hand out for Katniss to shake. She glares at the offending appendage then at him. He closes his eyes and braces for impact. Instead of the usual feeling of a punch to the face and a fall to the ground, arms wrap tightly around him.
Val slowly opens his eyes and sees that Katniss has embraced him instead. Her shoulders shake as she cries into his shirt. He can feel it slowly dampening.
"You idiot. You fucking idiot. Why are you so fucking stupid?" she demands.
Val laughs weakly, "Language Katniss. You kiss Peeta with that mouth?"
And there's the death glare of pain and suffering again. Thankfully for Val, Effie interrupts before Katniss actually punches him.
"What another lovely display of passion. I can just feel the sibling connection! Oh! This year's Hunger Games will surely be a spectacle," she twitters before continuing on, "Let's give our courageous tributes a round of applause!"
It's almost like a running joke now, the silence of the crowd.
Effie tries to take it in stride, deciding to clap enough for the people herself. Immediately after she finishes, the crowd moves in unison. Every single person - male, female, young, old - lifts three fingers from their right hand up to their lips and salutes them out towards Val and Katniss.
The two can only blink in surprise at the gesture. They know what it means. It was an old and rarely used gesture from the days back when the District was first founded that was occasionally seen at funerals. It meant thanks, it meant admiration, it meant goodbye to someone that you love. It was also District 12's symbol of revolution during the rebellion. And the fact that the entire District 12 population was using such a bold, treasonous symbol for their Reaping, was humbling.
Val looks to Katniss who also looks to him. They were both touched and speechless that the two were important and loved enough by the District that everyone was willing to be punished just so they could give their farewells. Maybe Katniss really was onto something about change.
Val looks to Effie who is clearly uncomfortable by the display. The Peacekeepers, off her expression, arm themselves and stand ready to move.
Fortunately, before either Effie or the Peacekeepers could move, Haymitch Abernathy somehow manages to conveniently stumble onto the stage. He's clearly drunk out of his mind if his haggard face, haphazardly put on clothes, and the half-empty whiskey bottle in his hand are any indication.
Effie startles when Haymitch limps his way to the microphone. She quickly backs away from his dirty form reeking heavily of alcohol. Val and Katniss scrunch their noses at the smell but it's nothing they're not already used to.
"I-I like these kids! They've got...a...a lot of...of...whazit called...spunk! Yeah! Spunk!" Haymitch shouts out, his words slurring together.
"More than this pink cream puff!" he shouts while pointing at Effie who lifts her nose in the air in disdain.
"More than these white stick men!" he points at the Peacekeepers who've lifted their firearms and aimed directly at him, though he pays them no mind. He's moving away from the microphone to the edge of the stage.
"And certainly more than you!" he stabs his finger in the direction of the Capitol camera crew. It's clear to everyone exactly who he's pointing at as they all stare in shock and amazement at his drunk yet bold actions. They all eagerly watch to see what he will do next.
"And...and...and..." Haymitch slurs out, eyes rapidly blinking. His body sways as he tries and fails to form his next words. He takes a step forward and tips over the edge, falling forward with all the grace of a headless chicken.
The crowd in front backs away so as to not get caught underneath him. He lands with a loud thud onto the packed dirt floor. Everyone on the stage and near the front of the stage lean to see if he's alright. Apart from a few scraps and bruises, Haymitch is completely fine as he cuddles his whiskey bottle like a teddy bear and curls up for an impromptu nap on the ground.
Everyone stares at him before a curt "Ahem" returns their attention to Effie who has returned to her place by the microphone.
"Thank you all for participating in the Reaping for the 74th annual Hunger Games. We will now lead our tributes away to the Justice Building where they will have the chance to offer their goodbyes before beginning their exciting journey to the Capitol!" Effie exclaims as Peacekeepers step forward to lead Val and Katniss into said Justice Building.
The two try to catch glimpses of Prim, Peeta, Gale, and their mother but the crowds are already dispersing, making it hard to pick them out. The doors to the separate waiting rooms open. Effie continues to speak as they are both shoved into different rooms.
"Broadcasting for the Tribute Ceremony will be tomorrow night and the official commencement of the Games will be precisely one week after."
Val stumbles, almost tripping but manages to catch himself. He quickly turns to make eye contact with Katniss who's still pale from fear and anger. The doors slowly close with Effie's final words.
"Thank you for another successful Reaping. I will see you all soon again. Until then, happy Hunger Games!"
The doors close with a loud click, like the final nail in the coffin.
Val stands in complete silence, unsure of what to do next except hope that he will be able to keep his promise.
And that's the Reaping guys. Next chapter's going to be out super soon like next day or two soon cause I cut the next part out to form a new chapter because I felt it was getting a little too long and dragging out a little, which I hope it didn't from your perspective. I usually do 10-15 doc pages for each chapter and adding in the farewells would definitely make this chapter longer than 15 pages.
Thank you all for reading and I hope to see everyone at the next chapter soon! Until then!