Trigger warning: There are mentions of suicide in this chapter. Please skip this chapter if that will harm you in any way and let me know so I can give you a summary of what happen.
Chapter 1:
District One
Major Emerson-Ness, 18
Four and a half years ago
Major couldn't help but feel a little nervous about today as the training academy comes into sight. He's been working towards the preliminary exam today for months, so much planning and training to make sure things end up in his favor. Everyone has constantly looked down on him, told him that the cute little boy that loves to dance can't possibly end up as the volunteer someday. There's no way he can be tough enough to beat out the others. So many people have insisted that he'll fail and he can't stand it.
Well, his parents did not raise him to get second place to volunteer. He refuses to be the third member of their family to do that. So he's going to show them all today that they shouldn't underestimate him.
"I'll admit, I'm a little nervous," Major lets out a small chuckle as he turns to look over at the person walking with him, noticing the anxiety in Pad's eyes. Major stops walking right away, frowning about this and placing what he hopes is a comforting hand on their shoulder. "Hey, are you alright?"
"No," Pad shakes their head at this question, almost looking on the verge of tears. Major pulls them over to the grass so they don't block the sidewalk, looking at some of the other trainees passing and giving them sweet smiles that most of them return. "I'm so worried about today. I have to do well… I can't go back home to my parents and face them if I fail."
"You're going to great," Major encourages them, squeezing their shoulder before giving it a couple pats. "And if today doesn't go great, you know you can keep staying with me. I'll look out for you!"
Pad lets out a loud sigh at this, but their shoulders visibly relax at Major's reassurance, only making him starting grinning even more. "Thank you for being my friend… I know you didn't have to because we're competing against the same spot to volunteer someday. But…the others are just so terrible. It's nice to have one kind person there."
Major doesn't let his smile falter at this, knowing exactly what the people are like in training… "Of course! Everyone needs at least one person to count on! Now come on, friend," Major pauses when Pad smiles at being called his friend, feeling a little guilty for what he has to do during the preliminary exam. But he has to win. He can't let anyone else take his spot to volunteer years from now. "We have to go prove ourselves."
The anxiety is back in Pad's eyes – not that it ever really left – but subdued a little thanks to Major's reassurance. Just what he wanted. Pad nods their head and they start walking once more, picking up their pace to make sure they aren't late for the exam. That would be a sure way to get kicked out before even getting a chance to prove themselves. "So who do you think is going to end up as the female tribute someday?" Major asks Pad, trying to keep the conversation light.
Major glances over, seeing a small smile forming on Pad's face at the question as they approach the doors into the academy. "I have faith in Anastacia. I…want to believe that she can keep up being at the top. I know I won't be with her but at least that means I can be at home rooting for her."
"You don't know that for sure!" Major answers, but he does know for sure that the volunteer won't be Pad. Not with how their training has slacked. And of course, that spot will go to Major. As for Anastacia, well, Major doesn't want to really get to know whoever will someday volunteer with him as he doesn't want any chance of growing attached to them…but, he still has made sure to know all the other top competitors to make sure he'll be able to work with them. The last thing he wants is to have his District partner betray him. "As for the other volunteer, who knows?" Major shrugs as he opens the door, gesturing for Pad to go in first. Pad anxiously stares inside the building, staying put so Major puts a comforting hand on their shoulder. "You're going to do great!"
"I don't want to face the others," Pad nervously whispers, finally looking away from inside the building to face Major. "They're so terrible."
"I'm going to stay by your side," Major tries his best to comfort Pad, but he's starting to reach the point of not knowing what more he can do to help them. But Pad can still help him, so he gives them another encouraging smile. "I won't let them bully you."
Pad lets out a heavy sigh at this before finally nodding their head. "Thank you… I'm really glad to have you as a friend."
Major grins at this as Pad enters the training academy and he follows after him. Pad stays quiet as they walk towards the small gym, but again hesitates in the doorway. Major gives them an encouraging smile but keeps walking in, knowing he needs to start focusing on today. There's been rumors traveling around that the trainers want to make a significant cut to their numbers today and Major refuses to be part of that. Not that he's really in danger of it, given his solid placement of second.
Major glares over at Shard Halloran, the boy that keeps beating out Major for the number one spot. No matter what Major does, he just can never beat him in a fight, and it drives him crazy. Depending on how today goes, well, Major just might have to reevaluate if he'll be able to beat him on sheer strength alone.
"Oh look who actually decided to show up today."
Major ignores the boy as he sets down his stuff before turning to face Julian, the third place trainee, fully expecting his comment to be directed at Major. It's nothing he hasn't dealt with before and he always happily proves Julian wrong. But the boy's gaze is on Pad who looks down and tries to ignore him, but their hands are shaking as they start getting things out of his worn out bag.
"I'm surprised you haven't given up yet with how shitty your scores are," Julian continues and Major shakes his head at this, even if he knows that he's speaking the truth about Pad. But Major would never say that directly to Pad. "But don't worry, after today the trainers will make the decision for you."
"Hey Julian!" Shard calls over to him and the three of them look over – well, Major kind of glares – at him as he walks over, towering over the others. "Stop it. I know you're stressed about it, but don't take it out on Pad."
Major hates the way Pad looks grateful at Shard stepping in, knowing that he should have been the one to defend Pad. And he would have, anything to make sure Pad continues to trust him. But he mostly just doesn't like Shard beating him at something else.
Major almost hopes that Julian won't listen to Shard, but sure enough, the boy gives them a sneer before turning to return to his friend. Major shakes his head at Julian's retreating form, knowing that he's only jealous that Major is better than him. Pad looks on the verge of tears and Major holds back a look showing how much he doesn't like putting up with people crying. "He's right," Pad mutters and turns their gaze away from Major to resume gathering stuff out of their bag. They sniffle and discreetly wipe at their eyes, leaving Major standing there and just not knowing anymore what to say to them. Julian isn't wrong.
Luckily, someone speaks up to get their attention to start the exam. Or maybe not so lucky for Major when he realizes who it is.
"Alright everyone, listen up!" Emilio Signe calls out to the group, waiting for the kids to quickly quiet down. Of course they all listen to the victor right away, it's no secret that Emilio is one of District One's favorites. Well…to everyone but Major and his family. "Today is a very important day as you'll be taking your preliminary exam. Now we normally wait until you are fifteen for this exam, but since you are part of the age group that will be volunteering for the Sixth Quarter Quell," Emilio has to pause as there's whispers of excitement at this and Major finds his heart beating faster in excitement at that thought. It's one thing to win the Hunger Games in a normal year. But a Quarter Quell? That would be the ultimate honor. "Thetis has decided to move the preliminary exam to now. That way we can focus on a smaller group for a longer time and make sure we stop District Two from claiming another Quarter Quell victory. Because none of us want to see that, am I right?"
Most of the trainees all shout about how little they want to see that happen, but Major keeps quiet, trying to hold back his annoyance at the group acting so barbaric about this. Yeah, Major doesn't want to see them win since he'll be in the Quell, but he doesn't need to show that by yelling.
Emilio chuckles as the group quiets down, shaking his head at them before looking around at them carefully. "Take this seriously as we will cut your numbers in half." This time, he's met with nervous whispers but Major just keeps watching Emilio, picking up his foot and grabbing his ankle to start stretching the muscles in his thighs. He doesn't have any concern about being among the twenty being eliminated today. "You will be tested in four areas: hand-to-hand combat, weapons, strategy, and stamina. We will assess your skills in each and provide a ranking. You have a half hour to prepare."
Most of the trainees start talking excitedly at this, but Major focuses on what he needs to do today. He's been working for a while to do this and he isn't going to fail. He has to do what his parents always taught him to do.
It's time to further solidify his spot as the future volunteer.
As Major starts stretching his arms, he looks around at the trainers, knowing the best one to bring things up to will be Emilio since he's overlooking the exam today. He's the one who will be able to make Major's plan work. But Major is a little wary as he approaches Emilio, still not knowing how to feel about the victor who beat out his father for the volunteer spot so many years ago. But from how he stands there, looking all cool as he talks to Aura, one of the victors he successfully mentored for…Major just doesn't know why his parents hate the victor so much.
Emilio sees him approaching and raises an eyebrow at him. "Major. I'm surprised you're not stretching for twenty minutes before the exam starts."
"I will be soon," Major gives Emilio a genuine smile at this, happy to find that the victors have noticed how dedicated he is to being properly prepared before a fight. Finally, someone is recognizing that he is just as capable, if not more, than the other trainees at fighting, even if he is absolutely adorable. But he drops the smile at what he has to talk to Emilio about. "There's something I want to talk to you about before the exam today…"
Emilio immediately drops the joking attitude and next to him, Aura looks intrigued as well. "What is it?"
"Well…" Major let's out a sigh, shaking his head a little before smiling apologetically at them. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't waste your time with this."
"Major, if it's something regarding training, you need to tell us," Emilio puts a hand on Major's shoulder, almost making the young boy flinch away from the distrust towards the victor his parents have given him, before realizing that Emilio is just trying to look out for him. "Your class will be the ones volunteering for the next Quarter Quell. We have to make sure that we have the best chance at victory."
And Major is going to get that victory.
"Well…" Major let's out a dramatic sigh before glancing back at the other trainees in his class. He stares at one of them, knowing he needs to do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn't have competition to be picked in a few years. He has to be picked. Otherwise, what would have been the point of his parents raising him the way they did and putting him into training? He has to create the legacy they were robbed of by the victor standing in front of him. When he turns back to Emilio, there's no hesitation left in him. "There's something I need to tell you about one of the other trainees."
Major ducks around the larger boys, his smaller frame coming in handy to sneak up to the front so that he can see the list posted by Emilio. He has to know if his plan worked today. But as he gets up to the front, he can hear boys calling back to someone and taunting them.
"Loser Pad got last place!"
Major finally makes it around Shard's annoyingly large frame and mentally curses when he sees who took first place. "Sorry Major," the large boy says to him as Major glances up, trying not to scowl at the kind smile on Shard's face. "I beat you again."
"I'll beat you eventually!" Major tries to smile at him, starting to rethink his strategy about how he's going to take first place from Shard. "Just wait."
"I'll be waiting," Shard answers with a chuckle as Major gets out of the crowd, not wanting to hear people congratulating Shard for once again getting first place. He just knows it's only a matter of time before one of them starts taunting Major about getting second. He'll prove them all wrong eventually. He has four years to take that spot as the volunteer.
Once free of the crowd, Major sees Pad standing off to the side, a blank look in their tear-filled eyes as they stare over at the list. Major doesn't feel any guilt as he approaches Pad – someone had to get last place and it wasn't going to be him – and Pad turns their gaze over to him as a tear slips down their face. "I can't go back home. Not after getting last place."
Major knew they wouldn't be able to do that. Not will how relentlessly they are tormented by their parents for not being good enough in training. "Where will you go?"
"I don't know," Pad whispers before turning to face the door, not letting Major see the tears running down their face. But he can still hear it in their voice. "Bye Major. Thanks for helping me this past week."
"Bye Pad," Major responds, watching Pad's back as they go to pick up their bag and leave the training academy before the taunts get too terrible. Major just stands there, watching Pad leave for the last time.
Anastacia Astoria, 18
One Week Later
Anastacia shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be wasting her time practicing over and over again how to shoot a bow. It had already seemed pointless before when there were so many other things she'd love to be doing, but now? She can't focus at all. Not when Pad is still missing. She should still be helping them try to find them.
But what's a thirteen year old supposed to do? She doesn't have money to hire people to look for Pad. She can't just abandon school and training all day to go search for them.
Anastacia lets out a heavy sigh as she sets down her bow, stretching her arm before looking around the training room that has thinned significantly after last week's exam. She might have placed fifth but she still feels like a failure. She hasn't been able to find her one friend…she knows the exam caused their disappearance. She had done so much to help them get away from their toxic home, away from all the screaming and abuse from parents who could never see how much Pad was trying. But in encouraging them to train more, she can't help but feel that she put them through even more abuse…
She glares over at the others in their year, knowing that so many of them relentlessly tormented Pad. And none of the trainers ever tried to stop it. Well…there was one who tried to help.
Anastacia meets Major's guilty eyes from across the room and he quickly looks away from her, returning his focus back on a small group he's part of, working on sparring techniques. At least there's one person who seems concerned by Pad's disappearance.
She quickly cuts across the room, avoiding sparring students as she keeps her focus on Major. Maybe he's heard something…he was the only one who ever showed Pad a bit of kindness. "Major," she says softly, looking at the others nearby a little nervously as a couple show interest in her. "Have you heard anything about Pad? Have they showed up at your house or anything?"
"No," Major says softly, his innocent face growing upset as he looks up at her. "Not since they left the academy after the exam."
"Damn," Anastacia says under her breath before trying to give Major a small smile, despite the ever growing pit of worry in her stomach for Pad. "I'm sure they'll show up soon."
"Maybe," Major says quietly, still a look of guilt in his eyes. Anastacia turns away from him, a little happy that at least someone is concerned for Pad.
But when she turns her gaze away, she finds a surprising figure approaching her. The leader of the training academy is walking towards Anastacia, and the young girl tries not to show her awe and bit of fear toward Thetis. "Anastacia, can you come with me?" Thetis asks, voice kept relatively neutral.
"Sure," Anastacia answers – because who would have actually said no to a request from Thetis? – despite her mind going through all sorts of thoughts on what she could have possibly done wrong that Thetis needs to talk to her. Once out of the gym and heading to Thetis' office, and Thetis hasn't said anything else, Anastacia's worry starts pouring out. "Is this about my poor attendance the past week? Because I'm sorry about that. I just needed to try and help find Pad and-"
"This isn't about your attendance," Thetis cuts off Anastacia's rambling as they enter her office. Thetis gently shuts the door behind them and Anastacia feels her throat tightening in anxiety over this. Despite all her doubts about training lately, she doesn't really want to get kicked out… Surely that must be what Thetis wants to tell her today. The victor motions to the chair at the desk, giving Anastacia a gentle smile. "It's best if you sit down."
Anastacia slowly sits down, watching Thetis as the victor takes a seat across from her. "Are you kicking me out of the academy?" She asks quietly, getting a look of surprise from Thetis.
"No," Thetis shakes her head at Anastacia and hesitates before continuing. "I just got done talking to some Peacekeepers…about Padparadscha. I know you were their closest friend here."
"Did they find them?" Anastacia sits upright at this, immediately getting filled with hope that the authorities have found her friend. "Are they alright? Can I see them?"
"Anastacia…" Thetis lets out a heavy sigh and pinches the bridge of her nose, and Anastacia just gets a sinking feeling that whatever she says next isn't going to be good. She has never seen the leader of the academy be so hesitant to say anything. "They found Pad's body…"
Anastacia stares at Thetis, her vision going out of focus as the words echo in her head. Found Pad's body… "No," she whispers, shaking her head as tears rapidly form in her eyes before falling down her cheeks. The world starts spinning around her and she puts her head down between her knees, trying to keep the bile from rising up. "No… That can't be…"
"I'm so sorry to tell you this," Thetis says softly before Anastacia jumps at the victor putting a hand on her shoulder, having not realized Thetis had moved over to her. Thetis starts rubbing her back soothingly, but nothing can stop Anastacia from feeling like her world just crashed down. Nothing can stop her chest from hurting at the news of her best friend's death.
"How?" Anastacia asks, lifting up her head to look over at Thetis through blurry tear stained eyes. "How were they killed? Was it their parents?" Thetis purses her lips at this and a few seconds pass, with the victor looking less and less likely to answer. "Tell me!" Anastacia says loudly, before letting out a sob at the loss of Pad. "Please tell me."
Thetis sighs at this, still rubbing Anastacia's back soothingly. "No one killed them… They found their body in the river with no signs of an attack. They ruled it as a suicide."
Anastacia stands up at this, needing to get out of the room that seems to be closing in on her. The world spins and she closes her eyes, trying to stop the pain in her chest. But she starts sobbing when she realizes that she's never going to see Pad again. She's never going to see their face crinkle in excitement when Anastacia would sneak into their window late at night with a plate of cookies. She's never going to be able to lay on the roof with them, staring up at the stars and talking about how someday they'll get an apartment together, adopt a few cats, and just get Pad away from their parents.
"Anastacia, I'm really sorry," Thetis says cautiously and Anastacia opens her eyes at this and starts shaking her head at the victor.
"No you're not," Anastacia says through her sobs, her throat feeling like it's closing in. "If you really cared about Pad, you would have stopped the relentless bullying they went through every time they stepped foot in the academy. They were bullied every day and then had to go home to abuse from their parents. You could have stopped it!"
"We had reports from the other students that Pad was planning to sabotage them…" Thetis says slowly, watching Anastacia carefully as slow anger starts to build in her. "We were told by the other students that Pad was the one bullying them."
"Did you ever once talk to Pad about it?" Anastacia asks accusingly, but Thetis' face gives her an answer right away. "Of course not. You just believed the others. No one ever believed Pad… I need to leave."
"Anastacia," Thetis calls after her as she starts quickly leaving the office, feeling overwhelmed in the small space. She pauses with her hand on the doorknob, waiting to hear what empty apologies the victor will try to make now. "I am sorry to hear about Pad… No one should be pushed to do that."
"Well maybe you should try harder to make sure it doesn't happen again," Anastacia responds before pulling open the door, letting it slam against the wall as she races out of the building. She only makes it to just outside the academy before she collapses to the ground, struggling to breathe through her sobs. Why? Why must this have happened to Pad? She should have done more for them. She should have been a better friend…
I'm so sorry I failed you, Pad.
Anastacia wasn't even allowed to look at Pad's body…couldn't say goodbye to their face one last time… She kneels before their closed coffin, tears quietly streaming down her cheeks from eyes that sting from how much she's cried the past two days. She can't help but feel like she's at fault for not doing something more.
"I'm so sorry, Pad," she whispers to the coffin, hoping that Pad can hear her from up in heaven, because she has no doubt that's where they are now. "I'm sorry I didn't do more to help get you away from your parents."
She briefly turns back to look at Pad's parents, quietly talking to her own parents and watching her carefully. She's surprised they even put together the small funeral…not that anyone has shown up aside from her family. No one wants to say goodbye to Pad…
Anastacia turns back to the coffin, wiping away tears that are quickly replaced. "I should have done more in training to stop them from bullying you…"
She lets out a heavy sigh as she leans her head against the cool coffin, putting her hands on it, wishing she could hug her friend one last time. "I've done a lot of thinking since I heard the news… Thinking about what I should do now. I didn't know if I should bother continuing with training… It seems pointless without you there."
"But…" Anastacia pauses to blow her nose, still silently crying. "I want to do something. I want to stop this from happening to anyone else. No one else deserves to go through what you went through…but I'm only thirteen… I can't do much right now."
Anastacia takes a shaky breath, feeling a small sense of peace that she finally knows what she wants to do. She has a new purpose for her life, something that is going to genuinely benefit others. This is what she's meant to do and she has no doubt about it. There's still the aching pain from the loss of Pad in her chest, something she doesn't think will ever completely disappear. But…maybe she can right some wrongs in the world. "I have to keep training. I'm going to do everything I can to become the victor. And then, I'll have capabilities to make a difference in the world. It's going to be a lot of hard work but…it's worth it for you."
"I love you, Pad, and I'll always miss you," Anastacia gives the coffin a kiss before standing up. She takes one last look down at her friend. "I want to make you proud of me."
Anastacia turns around, filled with the peace of what she has to do. She's surprised by the victor standing near her, holding a small bouquet of flowers. "Hi Anastacia…"
"Thetis," Anastacia says in surprise before scrunching her eyebrows in confusion at the victor. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to pay my respects for Padparadscha…" Thetis moves around Anastacia to place the flowers on the coffin before turning back to face the young girl. "And I wanted to talk to you. Take as much time as you need to heal before you return back to training… It's not easy to lose a friend like this."
Anastacia shakes her head at this, knowing she needs to start right away on working towards her goal. That's going to be how she heals. "No need. I'll be in tomorrow. And just you wait, I'm going to be the volunteer when I'm eighteen."
Major Emerson-Ness
One Week Before The Reaping
Major shakes his head at the stupid baby song repeating over and over again in his head as he starts stretching, hoping that maybe dancing will help get the song out. He looks over at his baby sister, instantly grinning at how adorable Belief is, sitting in her crib and watching him with a happy look. "I'm going to show you what good music is like, not those baby songs that get stuck in your head all day."
Twinkle, twinkle little – no! He's not having that song stuck in his head!
Major sighs as he presses play on the latest album from Beyond The Realm, leaning over to stretch his side as he smiles over at Belief. "You'll realize soon how amazing BTR is."
Belief just keeps looking all adorable as Major starts singing quietly along to the song, really hoping that the rumors about the party before the Games are true – that BTR will be performing there. He might get to meet them! And he can show off his dance routines, surely that will impress the sponsors and make the others underestimate him even more. Oh he can't wait to shock them all.
"He's a cold hearted star," Major quietly sings as he switches to stretching his other side, not even realizing how he messed up the lyric. "Look into the sky-" Major groans when he realizes that he still has the baby song stuck in his head and now is mixing up the lyrics. He points over at Belief accusingly, but when she starts giggling at him, he grins over at her. "You're lucky you're the cutest baby ever or I'd be mad that I can't get this song out of my head."
There's a knock on the door to Belief's room and Major pauses the song as he looks over, smiling at the sight of his mother there. "Hey Mom."
"Turning her into a BTR fan already?" Joy Emerson teases as she walks into the room, heading over to her daughter.
"Of course, she needs to know what good music is," Major answers as he stands up, brushing off his pants before smiling proudly at the woman who made him who he is today. "What's up?"
Joy turns away from Belief, smile still on her face but Major can see the stern look in her eyes. "Victor just spur of the moment decided he wants the two of us to go out for dinner tonight. Golden will still be here, but can you watch Belief for me?"
"Absolutely," Major glances over at his baby sister, feeling mostly love but there's still a slight bit of jealousy that she was born out of love between Joy and Victor. But he quickly suppresses these feelings, knowing that Joy and Golden still love him. Why wouldn't they? He's achieved what they always set out for him to do. But still…there's nothing he wouldn't do for his family. He's shown that with how much he was willing to do in order to get the spot as the volunteer for the Quell.
And who wouldn't want to take care of adorable Belief? She's almost as adorable as he is.
"Also, Shard is here," Joy continues, her smile disappearing as Major lets out a sigh of annoyance. He really didn't want to see his boyfriend tonight when there's so little time left before the Games. He doesn't need that distraction from his family. "Major…why are you still dragging him along? You've secured the spot. Just get rid of Shard already."
"There's still one week left," Major shakes his head at this, refusing to take any chances of losing out on being the volunteer. "Look at what happened last year. I'm not letting Shard take back first place."
Joy smiles proudly at this, making a similar smile form on Major's face. All he wants is to make his parents proud of him. "Good. We don't want you to end up like us, thanks to stupid Emilio."
Major chuckles and shakes his head at this, understanding why his parents, especially Golden, don't like Emilio. He's still a little weary himself about the victor, but being forced to work with him a lot the past few months have changed his opinion. "Mom, he's not a bad guy."
"Don't let Golden hear you say that," Joy responds as she turns back to pick up Belief. "Now go deal with Shard."
Major nods his head at this, even though his mother doesn't see the action, before leaving Belief's room and heading towards the front door. He pauses in the hallway to look in the decorative mirror, fixing his already perfect hair to make sure he looks as adorable as can be. Once happy with his appearance, he keeps walking, replacing his look of annoyance with an adorable smile just before rounding the corner to see Shard.
But from the look of fear on Shard's face, Major knows this isn't going to be a typical conversation with Shard begging for Major to forgive him for treating him poorly. Major stops in front of the hulking guy, smiling innocently up at the man he beat out to volunteer after years of being in second to him. "Hi Shard."
"Hi Major…" Shard says quietly, refusing to look Major in the eye. "Can we…um…talk?"
"We're talking right now," Major answers, still keeping the cute smile on his face, even if the last thing he wants to do is talk to Shard right now.
Shard lets out a nervous sigh, brushing his shaggy hair out of his eyes before finally meeting Major's eyes. "I…we need to break up."
"No," Major says immediately to this, even if he was intending to break up with Shard soon. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen his way. So he does what he always does when Shard tries to break up with him. "Who told you to do it this time?" Major blinks rapidly, hoping the action will start to make tears form in his eyes. Shard doesn't look like he wants to answer, making Major grow angry that he's ignoring him. "Tell me!"
"Anastacia," Shard says quickly, taking a step away from Major in fear. "She said you're abusive…"
Damn, that girl is smart. But Major is smarter than her and he's going to prove that when in a couple weeks, he'll be crowned as victor, not Anastacia. "And you believed her? Over your own boyfriend?" Major starts shaking his head, putting on an expression to make Shard feel guilty about this as he feels the tears forming in his eyes. "How could you do this a week before the reaping?"
Major can tell the exact instance when Shard changes his mind about breaking up after seeing the hurt look on Major's face. It always happens this way, with Shard incapable of going through with it after seeing how hurt Major is. Perfect.
Anastacia Astoria
One Day Before The Reaping
A tense, awkward silence surrounds the dinner table, the only sound being the occasional clinking of forks on the plate. Or at least, that's as much as Anastacia can tell. She rubs at her left ear, scowling a little in annoyance at stupid Darla in training for punching her. She thought she could take Anastacia out of the competition…
Well she sure proved her wrong.
Still, the disrupted hearing is a pain in the ass, but a pain in the ass that might benefit her in the Quell. She can only hope she can make the Gamemakers unaware and get lucky enough to lose the remaining hearing she has.
Anastacia gently sets down her fork, still a bit in disbelief that tomorrow is finally the day… So many years of working up to this point and she's finally done it. She wishes Pad could be here to see her, but she knows that they would be proud of her. She wants to make them even prouder of her though with what she does after she wins. First thing she does when she wins is going to be adopting a cute cat from Gwen's animal shelter. And then she's going to protect those that need her help.
"What are you thinking about?" Deidre breaks the awkward silence and Anastacia glances up from her plate to look over at her mother. "Having second thoughts about volunteering?"
"I was honestly thinking about cats…" Anastacia says softly, ignoring the small shake of her father's head at this. She tries to ignore the look of disappointment on her mother's face, but she just can't. Not when she's been having to face it for years as she grew closer and closer to being chosen. "Mom, please, just let me enjoy my last night year before the Games."
"But it doesn't have to be your last night!" Her mother pleads with her, starting the same argument that Anastacia has heard at least twice a week ever since the trainers announced her as the female volunteer. "Don't throw away your life in the Games-"
"I'm not throwing it away," Anastacia interrupts, unable to hear these things tonight. Normally she could just let her parents go off and ignore them because she was confident in her decision. But tonight? She just wants to know that they're supporting her. "I'm as prepared as can be. You know Thetis wouldn't have chosen me if I wasn't prepared to win."
"That's what everyone said about Beryl last year," Ignatius speaks up and Anastacia gives him an exasperated look. "And look what happened to her."
"Beryl was abused and no one in the academy could see that. No one ever did anything to help her… I have to help others in that situation by winning," Anastacia closes her eyes, trying to calm herself down. There's no winning this argument with them. Eventually they'll see that she's right, but it won't be now. When she opens her eyes, she finds her parents not wanting to make eye contact with her again. How did they reach this point? When did their happy little family turn so awkward and tense? "I don't need this doubt the night before I volunteer…" Anastacia says quietly, hating the feeling of doubt that's always there in the back of her mind. She's put so much into this over the years, gave up on so many things that she loved…But what if it's not enough? What if she isn't good enough to achieve the dreams she made in place of the ones who brought her joy so many years ago?
What if she's not good enough to make a difference, to really help those in need?
She can't be anything other than good enough. For Pad…Beryl…and all the others in not only District One, but in all of Panem, that have had life spit in their face. All the ones who have been hurt or died because someone wasn't there to help them.
"We just wish you wouldn't do this," her mother says softly and Anastacia turns her head so she can better hear her with her good ear. "Why must you volunteer for the Quell?"
"I don't have any more options," Anastacia answers, shaking her head at the conversation that they've had so many times before. No matter what she says, they still don't get it. They don't understand that she has to do this. She stares at her mother, watching her parents exchange a look that has anxiety building in her that they're trying to sabotage her chance of victory. "What do you know?"
"We don't know any-"
"Yes you do," Anastacia cuts off her father, hating what they have done for years behind her back to try and stop her from having the chance to volunteer. "What did the rebels tell you?"
"Anastacia!" Deidre raises her voice, looking around the room anxiously at Anastacia's question as if Peacekeepers are going to bust down their door and arrest them all.
"What, are you worried they're going to arrest you?" Anastacia looks at both of them, still in disbelief that they would do this to her. "Or maybe they're just going to kill me in the arena because of you two. I still can't believe you would put my life on the line by getting involved with rebels! They're not going to make any change, why can't you see that? And why can't you see that President Xavier is making changes?"
"But the Games are still happening!" Deidre slams her fist on the table but Anastacia doesn't find anger in her eyes. Instead, she finds tears forming as her mother's voice cracks when she speaks up softly, "I don't want to lose my baby girl."
Anastacia simply stares at her mother for a few seconds, unsure how to even respond to that. She can feel the eyes on her from both of her parents, making her grow more uncomfortable with each passing second. "You're not losing me. The only way you're losing me is if they find out what you've done." She pauses to dab at her mouth with her napkin before standing up, avoiding eye contact with her parents. "Excuse me, I'm not very hungry anymore."
She quickly walks out of the dining room, ignoring her parents calling her name as she races towards her room, hating the self-doubt slowly building up in her. Once in her room, she shuts the door harshly before slowly walking over to the large vanity set up that has been cluttered with taped pictures on it. She stares at the memories, all of them from a happier time. Back when she had her best friend and hadn't become so set on her goal of winning.
"Pad, I hope you're proud of me," she says softly, staring at the picture of herself and Pad grinning with excitement on their very first day of training. She smiles fondly at the memory and how things used to be. Before Pad was pushed by their parents and the others in the academy to suicide… "Tomorrow is finally the day I volunteer… I just wish you were here to celebrate with me."
Anastacia sighs as she blinks rapidly, trying to keep back the tears from the loss that still hurts just as much as it did three and a half years ago when she found out. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you… But I'm not going to let anyone else in training have to deal with the abuse you faced by your parents. I'm not just going to change things here in One. I'll do my best to help every District, in your memory."
She leans over so she can pick up the ring sitting in the middle of her dresser, the ring that she'll be taking into the arena with her. She smiles at the two padparadscha sapphires, knowing she'll have Pad with her, thanks to the gems that were their namesake. "At least I'll have you watching over me. I know you'll protect me."
Anastacia slips the ring onto her right hand, knowing she has so much to fight for. And she's going to prove her parents wrong. They have no reason to doubt her training. All these years have led up to this and Anastacia knows she's ready. She's ready to make a change in the world with her victory. She's ready to make sure no one else ends up like Pad.
Anastacia takes a deep breath before she brushes the doubt aside, knowing that if she wants to help out others, she has to make sacrifices for herself. But there is one thing she will not sacrifice: her life.
Jeweladia Sparkington, 23, Escort for District One
Jewel is still a bit in shock that she was promoted to District One, of all places, even after not getting a victor. She knows it's thanks to her name and jewel aesthetic but…part of her is a little disappointed to have left District Six. But she isn't going to let anyone know that embarrassing fact.
Besides, she can't complain too much about being promoted to the first District and one that always has volunteers.
"Good morning everyone!" Jewel says cheerfully and has to stop in surprise when she's met with loud applause from the crowd gathered in front of her. District Six was never this enthusiastic about the Reaping… Maybe she can get used to being here. She grins out at the crowd filled with happy children, all of them relaxed and not at all fearing what might happen to them. "As you may know, I'm Jewel Sparkington and it's my first time here in District One! And I'm ready to bring you home the victor of the Sixth Quarter Quell!"
The applause from the crowd is overwhelming and Jewel has to pause again, still trying to get used to this bizarre experience. But she likes it a lot. She liked Six, but she definitely wants to stay here in One. "Well how about we pick the female tribute?" She grins out at the crowd before going to the first glass sphere with a skip in her step. Hard not to be so happy about everyone so warmly accepting her! She is about to take her time with picking out the name out of habit, before remembering that it won't matter anymore who she picks. She's going to have two volunteers.
Since it won't matter, she picks one of the first pieces of paper she touches with her hand covered in jeweled rings before returning back to the center of the stage. "Alright, can Emilia Barin come up on stage?"
An impeccably dressed girl steps out from among the front section, looking way too delicate and well put together to have trained. But from the grin on her face and the way she waves at the crowd, she doesn't seem to have any problem with being reaped. She even greets Jewel with air kisses on the cheek, leaving the escort stunned once more by the lovely response here in One. "Welcome," Jewel says with a smile, getting it together when she remembers that she's on camera. "Now, are there any volunteers for Emilia?"
Only a couple seconds pass before a voice speaks clearly from the front of the crowd the words Jewel has been waiting to hear for the past five years, ever since she became an escort. "I volunteer!"
Jewel gets a chill down her spine at that as the volunteer steps out from the crowd, keeping her head held high and gaze fixed on the stage as she makes her way up. Her outfit is kept simple – at least compared to Jewel's bedazzled dress – of just a simple blue tight fitting dress that shows of her figure resembling that of a dancer. But the color compliments her sharp gray eyes framed by loose black hair. Once standing on the stage next to Jewel, the escort is practically beaming in excitement over the volunteer. She looks so badass and ready to fight!
"And what is your name?" Jewel asks, giggling a little in excitement over how amazing this promotion is.
The girl looks out at the crowd before returning her gaze to Jewel, just a slight hint of nerves present. But when she answers, her voice is clear and unwavering. "Anastacia Astoria."
"Welcome, Anastacia!" Jewel says happily as the crowd applauds for their first volunteer and Jewel even joins in a little. "Now how about we see who will be joining Anastacia?"
Jewel once again has a skip to her step as she makes her way to the other glass sphere of names, once again picking a piece of paper at random before quickly returning to the microphone. She just can't wait to see who will be volunteering next! "Okay, can Legend Katariah please join us on stage?"
The reaped boy steps out from the sixteen year old section and makes his way up to the stage quickly, but unlike Emilia, he looks as if he has been training. Who knows, maybe Jewel will be seeing him again on stage in a year or two as the volunteer! "And do we have a second volunteer?"
"I volunteer!" A sweet voice calls out from the front of the crowd before stepping forward, leaving Jewel in surprise because he is not at all what she would have expected as the other volunteer… Because she's never seen a male volunteer step forward with a large bow in his pale blond hair or wearing a dance tutu that reminds Jewel of the ones she used to wear when she was five and taking ballet lessons, with a white button up tucked into it the poofy fabric. He's giving Jewel and the crowd a very warm and inviting smile as he walks up the steps to the stage, even waving a little at them before turning to greet Jewel, holding out a hand to shake hers. Up close, Jewel can see the freckles across his flawless face. Wow…he's prettier than she is.
"Major Emerson-Ness," he answers confidently as Jewel shakes his hand. "And I'm going to be District One's next victor."
Jewel turns back to the victors in surprise as the crowd gives applause at his statement, wondering if this boy is really who the victors picked as their volunteer. Yet they're all applauding with the crowd and none of them look upset… Well, maybe Jewel will be surprised by this innocent looking boy who apparently likes to wear tutus…
Jewel takes another look at her first volunteers, her smile growing even larger, which she didn't think was possible at this point. Surely the victors of District One have picked their very best to volunteer for the Quarter Quell. "Well District One, we have our tributes! Anastacia Astoria and Major Emerson-Ness!"
The crowd cheers in excitement at this and Major responds by waving at them excitedly. After seeing Major's response, Anastacia also starts waving, but not nearly as enthusiastically.
The two volunteers shake each other's hand and Jewel is just beaming in excitement at how wonderful the Reaping has turned out. This might just be the year she gets her very first victor!
Alrighty here we go, first set of intros! :D I love these two so big thank you to Legend and Celtic for Anastacia and Major respectively! And Jewel is back again from Overlooked, submitted by ImaginationStories!
I kinda went a little nuts with writing these, so all of them are going to be long intros now lol. But I don't think anyone is going to complain about long intros. I'm not sure on if each one will have the same format on what type of sections I write. I'm just going to write whatever best gets across the tribute and will match the word count for each one!
So of course, I'd love to hear what you think of these two! Also as we keep going through the intros, definitely let me know if there are any interactions between tributes that you would like to see!
I'm hoping to keep updating about every 2-3 weeks, but with the semester starting up soon, the time might get a little longer. But that's because I want to make sure these intros are great and take my time with them!
Well, I'll see you next time in District Two!