Trigger warning for this chapter and also NSFW warning.


Chapter 6:

Asha Kader, 18, District Nine

Three Weeks Before The Reaping

Asha couldn't take sitting around in the empty house for much longer, counting down the minutes until it was time for her to go to work. Maybe they wouldn't mind if she showed up a couple hours early…the clients certainly wouldn't complain and the extra money they throw at her is a nice bonus… And at least then she'll be useful for her parents. There's not much more she can do at home for her parents. She's cleaned the whole house. She cooked dinner for when they get home from the fields. Yet part of her worries that there should be more that she is doing and just sitting around now with nothing to do is fueling the anxious part of her brain. Surely there's something more to do around the house… Going to work early for some extra money will be doing something, right?

And maybe if she works a bit more, she can start saving up more to move out…but not without leaving money to support her parents. She can't just leave them, not when they've given up everything for her. Just thinking about doing that gives her a pit of guilt in her stomach, one just further fueled by sitting here doing nothing. She's just being so…so useless right now to everyone by not doing anything.

That's it, she has to do something. She can't keep sitting here or guilt will eat away at her. Asha quickly scratches out a note for her parents telling them she's going to work early and dinner is in the fridge, even though that adds onto the guilt from lying to her parents about her work. But she can't tell them, no matter how much she hates keeping this secret from them. They wouldn't understand why she does it – for them…right? It's just for them. Okay…maybe a little bit for herself – but she shouldn't be feeling that way. She is just doing this job to help support her parents who have done everything for her, not because she likes it or the power rush that comes with it. Not at all.

Asha is doing that job purely to be helpful to others.

But as she steps out of the house and locks up behind her, she can't help but feel guilt slowly building in the pit of her stomach. She's being selfish about this, knowing deep down that part of her wants to go to work and she'll enjoy it. She should be doing this purely for helping out her family… Shouldn't she? Of course she's doing this just for her family.

Asha keeps telling the lie to herself as she sets off down the road that she's doing this all purely because she is a compassionate person, keeping her head down and avoiding bringing any unnecessary attention to herself. Two conflicting sides of her argue in her head, one side telling her she's being useful for her parents by bringing home a steady income after years of not doing enough for them while the other side tells her she's not doing enough and she's worthless.

Asha only looks up when she starts to recognize the path she walks on, her feet making her take a detour before she goes to work. How many times has she walked this path? Too many times for her to count. She's not surprised to find herself heading this way, so wrapped up in her thoughts of feeling useless and needing to do something. So why wouldn't she subconsciously head towards one of the people she can still do something to help – even as her stomach twists even more at the thought of seeing him?

As she heads up the steps, she starts tucking the red ends of her hair to make sure it's hidden – the last thing she needs to do is bring attention to it and remind him of the reason she caused all of this to him. Asha takes a deep breath before knocking on the door, waiting a few moments before hearing a gruff voice calling out for her to come in.

Asha slowly cracks open the door, peeking her head in to the dark and being hit with the sharp burning smell of alcohol mixed with the stench of someone who hasn't showered in days and food left out way too long. As she steps inside and quietly shuts the door behind her, she forces herself to give a meek smile as Gideon lets out a grunt at the sight of her. "Oh, it's you."

"Hi Gideon," Asha says softly as she steps into the room, carefully avoiding the mess of scattered clothes and empty alcohol bottles. She starts picking up some of the bottles, knowing she should help him clean up the house while she's here. "How are you doing?"

Gideon is silent for a minute and Asha finally glances over at him when her arms are full of empty bottles, only to find him silently glaring at her, half empty bottle of whiskey in his hand. She turns her gaze to the floor as he slowly stands up and walks over to her, wavering on his feet and knocking over some bottles near the chair he barely leaves these days. He stops in front of her, towering over her as she slouches over, trying to seem smaller, before reaching out to tug on a piece of her hair that's loose, the red showing clear as day, even in the dim lighting of his house. "Came here to flaunt the job that you insisted on staying at even when it hurt me every day knowing other men with touching you the way only I should be?"

"I'm sorry," Asha tells him quickly, blaming herself for not doing a better job at tucking her hair. She should have checked it was all hidden before coming here, she knows how he reacts to it. "That wasn't my intention at all. I promise, I just came here to-"

"It's all your fault," Gideon slurs at her, making her flinch at the comment before her shoulders sag, knowing he's right. She's to blame for what happened then, and for him spiraling and turning to alcohol now. "You ruined what we had by going back there night after night, even when I told you to stop."

"I know, and I'm sorry," Asha whispers, afraid to speak up louder and cause an outburst from him. "But my parents need the money-"

"But what about me?" Gideon yells at her and Asha takes a nervous step back, afraid of his anger. "You always only cared about yourself, never me!"

"I always did things for you and you couldn't accept the one thing that I am good at!" Asha yells at him, stunning both of them into silence by her raising her voice at him. She's never done this before…and immediately feels guilty about it. "I'm so sorry, Gideon, I didn't mean to yell at you."

"Get out," Gideon says quietly and Asha quickly starts taking steps back from him as he continues repeating that, his voice raising in volume each time. She sets the bottles in her arms down in a box near the door, feeling like she has to at least do that for him, even as he yells at her. "You dumb bitch! Get the fuck out of my house!"

"I'm sorry!" Asha yells back at him as she rips open the door, hurt and guilt and…satisfaction swirling in her for her outburst. No, she should only be feeling guilty for this. She came here to check on him and make sure he is doing alright, not push him into a drunk rage… It's all her fault…

A bottle smashes against the door just after she shuts it, making her jump at Gideon yelling in frustration. "Damn it, you made me break the bottle! Fucking waste."

Asha guiltily slides a coin under the front door for the broken bottle of whiskey, knowing he's right and it's her fault. If she hadn't showed up here, he never would have had that outburst and thrown the bottle in anger. "Of course it's your fault, Asha," she whispers to herself, ashamed at herself. Here she was coming here to try and see if there was anything she could do for him, to make sure he was doing alright, only to make things worse…

Asha takes a few long breaths while leaning against the front door, willing her racing heart to slow down. She shouldn't have come here…how many times has she stupidly come here expecting it to be different and for him to still berate her and remind her how much this is her fault? She shuts her eyes, her heart still racing and she shakes her head at herself for the outburst. She shouldn't have done that… And the reason why she did it is terrifying and frustrating to her.

Why can't she keep control of the two sides of her? And why did she like the feeling of standing up to him?


Later That Night

As she slips on the leather suit, Slash can feel herself growing more confident in herself and more like she belongs. Here she knows exactly who she is, exactly what the clients expect from her. Here she is in control.

The last touch is putting on a dark lip color and as she lets her hair fall over her shoulders, vibrant red tips showing off proudly…Slash can't help the smirk as she takes in her appearance in the mirror. Black leather clinging to her curves and full chest that stands out with her shoulders back, dark lips just begging to be kissed – not that she'll let them, but they'll beg for her to kiss them. Maybe she will, maybe she won't, but the decision will be hers and hers alone.

Slash picks up the whip sitting on the table next to her, running a hand down the length of it and wondering who will get punished by her tonight. As long as they pay her, it doesn't matter who. Anyone can get dominated by Slash if they have the money.

Slash heads out of the back room, passing her old mentor in the doorway and momentarily hesitating at the dirty look Hazel gives her, still confused to this day why she stopped talking to her so abruptly. But she soon brushes it off and heads out to the main room of the brothel. Asha would be bothered by Hazel's actions, but not Slash. And Slash has a job to do.

Her boss was thrilled to see Slash there early today and the clients clearly are too as Slash stalks into the room, hips swaying and hand on her whip as she stares down the clients, wondering who will be brave enough to pay for her services tonight. A few squirm in their seats and quickly look away from her while others keep eye contact with her and still follow her movements as she takes a seat at the bar, arching her back on the stool to put her leather clad ass on full display to the clients.

"You're here early," Valero says as he sets down a glass of water in front of her. He leans against the counter, taking in her appearance before wiggling his eyebrows at her. "You know, there's not many people around and I could think of a couple ways to pass time."

Slash rolls her eyes at him as she leans back, taking a sip of water and letting some fall down her chin and towards her chest, along the swells of her breasts, Valero's eyes following it the entire time. She watches him swallow and adjust the collar of his shirt before holding back a smug smile as she sets the glass back down. "Only if you're going to pay," she teases as she leans over and starts running a fingernail gently along the exposed part of his arm, enjoying seeing him tense up. When he reaches for her hand, she slaps it away and leans back, "You know the rules, no touching unless I say so, and that's after paying. But we all know you can't afford me."

"You hurt me so much, Slash," Valero teases as he puts a hand over his heart.

"That's what I'm here to do," Slash answers with a grin, giving the whip sitting in her lap a few pats. "And people love when I-"

"This seat open?"

Slash slowly glances over her shoulder at the client standing there, recognizing the voice right away. Safa – if that's even her real name, which Slash doubts in this place – is standing there, one of Slash's loyal clients who keeps coming back for more. The young business woman always comes back, desperate for a break from her daily life. Slash knows she'll pay whatever Slash asks of her, and also that she loves to play the game for dominance with her before giving in to Slash, just like they always do. "Not anymore. Sit."

But Safa ignores her instructions, instead choosing to lean against the bar as she stares defiantly back at Slash. "Actually, I think I'm good standing. Just wanted to make sure no one else had claim on you."

"No one claims me," Slash answers with a laugh. "I claim them. And they all listen to what I tell them to do or they are punished. Now sit."

"I'm not very good at following instructions," Safa whispers in her ear as she steps closer to her and puts both hands on Slash's hips. "Maybe I need someone to punish me."

Slash pushes her back and raises an eyebrow, pretending to question her actions and watches as she takes in her leather clad body. "Maybe I can help with that. For a price, of course."

"Of course," Safa echoes, knowing glint in her eyes. "We are in a brothel, after all. Any price, you name it and it's yours."

"You know my price," Slash says as Safa slaps the coins down on the counter in front of her. Slash raises an eyebrow at her, slowly beginning to smirk at the eagerness of Safa. She scoops up the coins and pulls out the coin purse from tucked near her breasts, making a bit of a show as she puts the money away. "Very well. Go," Slash demands, pointing back to her room.

Safa listens to her, but drags her feet a little, knowing that it will get her punished by Slash. Slash pushes her forward, fighting back the small guilt trying to push through, reminding herself that this is what the clients want. They want her to hurt them. And she likes hearing them beg for her.

Slash kicks the door shut behind her as she unfurls her whip, watching as Safa follows her actions. "You know the rules. Only talk when I talk to you first. You will address me as Slash or mistress, nothing else. When I tell you to do something, you do it, no questions or protests. The safe word is tree, but saying it won't give you your money back. You knew what you were paying for when you paid. Break any of the rules and you'll be punished," Slash cracks her whips, demonstrating exactly what will happen if Safa breaks a rule.

"I'm bad with rules," Safa whispers and Slash lashes out at her with the whip, making the woman bite her lip as she holds back crying out at the pain. But Slash knows punishment is exactly what she wants. It's what they all want. "I think I need you to teach me how to listen."

Slash grins as she steps closer to her client, knowing this will be a good night in control.


Agapios Wheatley Hallorian, Escort for District Nine

It's hard to believe just how many years Agapios has been in District Nine as their escort, but he wouldn't want it any other way. The shift in attitude was slow over the years and at first he was like every other escort that wants to move up to a 'better District' with more victors, but soon he realized the quirks of Nine that has made him keep coming back here year after year, and he hopes he keeps coming back here for years. Maybe he'll even reach the 50 year mark in Nine. Sure, they might not get as many victors as the career Districts do, but that makes the years they do bring home a victor that much more special. And the few victors he has brought home…they're his friends and he wouldn't trade that for the honor the others say they have by being in a higher District.

Agapios shuts his pocket watch when the hand strikes the hour exactly and steps out onto the stage, insisting on staying exactly to schedule after all these years. He does spare a second to smile over at his victors, proud of each one he helped get back home to Nine. He clears his throat at the microphone and gives a small smile to the crowd of children gathered there, understanding now just what they will be going through in the arena and refusing to be over the top and oblivious like some escorts. They are still children and no matter what he does, at least one of them will not make it back here, something he only realized after a few years in Nine. "Hello, District Nine. It's good to be back here like every year and I am looking forward to doing my very best to bring you home another victor. You know me, I'm Agapios Wheatley Hallorian, but enough talking, let's pick the two tributes."

Agapios is never one to spend too much time speaking at the Reapings – unlike some escorts who will send all of the them off schedule – and the children waiting don't want to wait longer than necessary to know who will be selected. He quickly selects the first name and returns to the microphone, ignoring the aching in his body that's starting to flare up more and more with each year. But getting old is a privilege he is lucky to have. The same can't be said for the two tributes he reaps today.

Agapios clears his throat before speaking the first name and waiting for the child to step forward. "Our first tribute is Asha Kader."

A few seconds pass with rustling at the very front of the crowd until a shocked looking girl steps forward to make her way up to the stage. At first, she keeps her eyes down and tucks back her hair, hiding a little bit dyed red under the rest of thick black hair. But as she gets closer, she slowly picks up her head, revealing a pretty face free of blemishes, and an air of confidence in her honey colored eyes. She puts her shoulders back as she reaches the stage and slowly walks up them, not in the way a shy tribute would do, but one who knows she has attention on her and isn't flinching away from it.

As she takes the stage, Asha takes a long look at one of the mentors, before facing the crowd, sparking Agapios' curiosity as he sees the way Lelantos stares back at her. It's not his place to get into their troubled past…but he might have to in order to help her in the arena. Of course, permitting there are no volunteers… "Would anyone like to volunteer for Asha?"

Like most years, no one steps forward, so Agapios gives a small apologetic smile to Asha, but she barely seems to notice as her eyes show her deep in thought as she faces the crowd. "Very well, let's pick the second tribute."

Agapios once more quickly picks the next name, holding back a grimace as his hip flares up in pain from turning too fast to return to the microphone. But he keeps his face neutral, respecting the lives he is uprooting today. His pain is nothing compared to theirs. "Our second tribute is Laine Lawson."

A shocked boy steps out from the fifteen year old section after a few seconds pass, shock mirroring the look that had been on Asha's face when she first stepped out. But unlike her, as Laine approaches, his shoulders slump down in resignation and he turns down his face slightly to use his long shaggy dark hair to hide his eyes from the crowd. When he reaches the stage, he hesitates for a second before reluctantly taking his place on the stage beside Agapios. "Are there any volunteers for Laine?"

Once more, the crowd stays silent and Agapios lets out a heavy sigh as he glances at his pocket watch, verifying that they are still on schedule, before facing the two tributes he will do everything he can to assist this year. He isn't underestimating either of them – he's seen bigger underdogs win the Games before. "Very well. Your tributes, District Nine: Asha Kader and Laine Lawson."


Okay first things first, Happy Birthday to Celtic! Had to give you a birthday update of your girl!

Thanks to Celtic, of course, for both Asha and Agapios (he just always is here in my stories XD) and dsalazz for Laine! I know, this chapter is like, way overdue and my bad lol. I got stuck trying to pass that halfway point hill, then got into full Senseless Games mode and then once enough time passed, I knew I had to keep waiting to post this chapter on Celtic's birthday! But now that the Senseless Games are over, I'm finally shifting back into Legacy mode and I'm ready to start cranking through this story. And good news is I've done a bit of writing ahead and have about two more intros done at this point and we're gonna start cranking through them because I need to finish these intros before I wrap up Senseless and start intros for the sequel lol.

So thoughts on Asha/Slash? As we go through the Games, which side of her personality do you think will win out?

RQ #6: Did you expect Celtic to send a doomed valid girl or not? (the one rule didn't apply to her but maybe it should have XD)

Alrighty I'll see you all soon with Abel in District Four!