Monday 25th June, 0075
Capitol
Paisley Delacor, 18
District 1 Female
I couldn't say I regretted volunteering but as I sat in the room with Ezra, watching the other Tributes filtering in, I couldn't help but feel anger at it all. That any of these people could be the person I was paired with. Even being with Ezra annoyed me. I liked the idea of us both winning but the Games were not the place to be romantic. Neither of us trained for years to be treated like this.
As I watched the same anger displayed on my fellow Tribute's face, I felt comfort. For in these six hours, I wouldn't be as strategic, I wouldn't be a Career, I would be an angered teenager like everyone else in the room. However, it was also the chance to see everyone in a vulnerable state. See them in their most frightening. moments.
For example, Akhal hated being by herself, despite not being allied, that much was obvious by their distance with each other. However, she stuck by Fredericks side. He allowed her so this told me he didn't like the idea of leaving her side. They were home to each other, their only connection. They were not the only ones but the ones that stuck out to me the most. Big strong volunteer such as Frederick sticking by someone like Akhal.
Then again, as I thought about it, District partners were the closest you got to trust in this business. It was frowned upon in any District to kill your District Partner so most of the time, they left you until the final few. Not just that, you had the most connection to them. Even if it was just seeing them in the marketplace, it was more history than they had with anyone here.
The other truth was that the moment we were paired up, most District partner groups would fade. Only a handful stood with each other, Ten, Twelve, Eight, Eleven and Six, everyone else had tried to give as much birth between them and their partners as possible. It was for the best, there were only two victors and same District pairs would be little to none. I had described Ezra down to the last detail and he did the same and we were still worried we wouldn't paired together.
Girls around the room talked about their preferred partner. Most came out as the same thing, strong, good-looking, blonde. Every time someone mentioned these traits, I felt my body stiffen up, my eye moving over to Ezra who sat next to me, no clue of the attraction he brought. He was an attractive guy, the only one who came close to him being Nicholas from District Four. I knew by themselves that they would never approach a guy like Ezra but that didn't mean the Capitol wouldn't pair them. It boiled an anger inside of me that did nothing but make me hate this twist even more. I wasn't jealous though, I didn't have a reason to be.
June Briony, 17
District 11 Female
I had no clue if this was being televised but I didn't care. Weather the Capitol was viewing me or not, I wasn't changing my facial expression. Which at this moment was an angered frown and my arms crossed tightly. As if it wasn't insulting enough that they choose me by lottery to fight to the death but also force me to act in love for their own sick pleasure. The only people I couldn't feel sorry for was the Careers, they knew the twist and still volunteered. However, I had no doubt that even they had received more than they bargained for.
We had been in the room for almost six hours, my only company being Andrew. Most people kept to themselves or just talked to their District Partners. There was little to no inter-District interaction at all, but I could understand. It was unlikely that District Pairs would happen, we would be forced to pair with people from very different walks of life, it was nice to talk to someone who had grown up in the same place as you. Most of all with Andrew. We worked on the same plantation, there was more than enough nostalgia trips to pass the hours with.
I had almost lost track of time when the Anthem played loudly, shattering the silence. In unison, we all turned to the large screen that faced us all. As the silver Capitol seal faded away, it was replaced with the white, bright grin of a green haired Caesar. He gave a little laugh to the cheer track that ran in the background, spinning around on his chair to face the cameras.
"Welcome, welcome!" he cheered, his arms held out wide. He waited until the cheering had died down before continuing. "Two weeks ago we saw our precious lovebirds reaped and arrive in the Capitol and now, after hours of collecting votes, you, yes you at home, have decided who has flutters in the heart for each other." I wasn't sure I had any flutters in the heart and if I did, it was concerning and definitely not attraction. "Are you ready for the results?" The fake audience cheered in reply. "Of course you are, but first-"
A Peacekeeper stepped forward, muting the television. This allowed Zircon, who was once again sat in the corner of the room, chance to speak. "They will pair you up in order of District Order, the males being called out first. The second name called, who will most likely be female, please swap seats with your partner's District Partner, thank you." And with that, he turned the sound back on.
"As you know, Tributes were paired up based on public vote, we have been informed that many of them were very close so don't feel unlucky folks if you pair didn't make the cut. Now, for our first pair, we will be starting with District One male, Ezra Allington. Ezra Allington, District One male has been paired with District One female, Paisley Delacour!" The pair seemed to relax upon hearing this, Paisley finding it hard to hold back a smile.
"Bullshit," Frederick hissed from next to me. "They would have been better off voting us with our District Partners...I bet it was fixed-"
"Just focused on yourself, they will lose sponsors for the dullness, no doubt," His District partner Akhal sighed, crossing her arms nervously. I was more concerned that Two careers had been paired, if the other followed suit, we would be stuck with the regular Career pack.
"For our second pair. Stefan Roberts of District Two will be paired with Violet Hardgrove of District Nine." This pair seemed far less excited. Stefan seemed deflated at first but cheered up when he got a look at Violet. Violet, on the other hand, looked on edge as she reluctantly took the seat next to the Career. Forcing his District Partner to stand.
"For our third pair. Rory James of District Three will be paired with Psyche Wells of District Six," there was far less fear between the two than anger at being forced to pair in the first place. They offered each other a weak smile as Psyche took the empty seat from Ellie. They turned away after that.
"For our fourth pair. Nicholas Davenport of District Four will be paired with Akhal Breker of District Ten." Akhal looked slightly nervous at the pairing but fairly content with the pair. I could see why Niko wasn't an eyesore. Frederick gave a grunt in reply to her goodbye. Niko on the other hand welcomed her with a sad smile.
"For our fifth pair, in a fun twist. Noelani Palmer of District Four will be paired with Ellie Nimrod of District Three!" there was a round of applause on the show but in real life, Ellie and Noelani awkwardly sat on the floor due to no spaces being free. They seemed happy with the choice though, talking in a hushed voice the moment the attention was off them.
"For our sixth pair, another exciting one. Qanom Harkklee of District Five will be paired with Hyacinth Rodgers of District Twelve!" As Hyacinth came close to Qanom, he gave a toothy grin.
"Are you gay?" he asked, crossing his arms. Hyacinth gave a nod. "Of course they would pair us up, eh?"
Hyacinth shrugged. "I'm just happy you are a guy, to be frank."
"Our seventh pair includes Gary Winslow of District Six has been paired with Cerulean Westwood of District Eight." Cerulean gave a sharp intake of breath as she quickly moved over to the empty space Psyche had left. She and Gary exchanged greetings but then went back to watch the screen.
"Our eighth pair has Linden Hunter of District Seven paired with Laura Hope of District Twelve." Linden quickly rose from his seat, raising his hand in the air.
"I am here!" he shouted over the dark-haired girl who offered a warm smile.
"I know," she said timidly, moving past the other Tributes and towards the blonde male. Linden gave a nervous laugh as he took his seat, silently cursing to himself.
"For our ninth pair, we have Mikeo Nunez of District Eight paired with June Briony of District Eleven." When I heard my name, my body stiffened up and almost like I wasn't in control of my body, I stood up and walked a few seats to my left until I came to Mikeo. The boy tried to look happy, patting the empty seat next to him but I could tell he was just as uneasy as me. As I sat down, Cesar continued.
"With our tenth pair, the big one zero, we have Beckham Knox of District Nine paired with Invidia Aureal of District Two." Neither looked pleased with this, Invidia gave the boy evils as she joined him. Beckham looked like he wanted to cry. "Both Nines with the Two's, very interesting." This just seemed to anger the pair more.
"With our Eleventh pair, we see Frederick Loophole of District Ten paired with Althea Falen of District Five-"
"You have to be kidding me!" Frederick bellowed. "Why do I get put with the weakest Tribute?" the boy hissed, causing Althea to freeze, not feel comfortable moving forward.
"She is making a better impression on the audience than you," Nicholas pointed out with a shrug. The boy calmed down after that, but not before picking up the empty chair and moving it away. Forcing Althea to sit next to Andrew.
"And our final pair, but not the end to the excitement, Andrew Strauss of District Eleven, clearly, is paired with Chrisjen Dalteir of District Seven, congratulations everyone!" Before he had even said the words, the only standing person was moving towards Andrew. As she sat down, she leaned over to Althea, most likely asking if she was okay.
As I turned in my seat towards the door, expecting the stylist to burst through at any moment Caesar spoke once more.
Frederick Loophole, 16
District 10 Male
I was still angered by my pairing. The fact the pair from nine and Akhal got paired with strong Tributes over me was just infuriating. I wouldn't have even cared if it was a guy. I was straight but I was going to win by myself anyway. Female or male, my partner would be dead. There was no way I was winning with someone like Althea.
Then the Capitol decided to rub salt in the wound.
"But wait, there's more!" Caesar cheered, sending a shiver through my body. "We asked the Tributes before being paired to pick a colored ball. We can now reveal to our audience and the Tributes what these balls were. They decide who gets to go back home after the Games. Blue balls mean home, pink means the home of their partner. If both people in the pair has the same ball, they will go and live in the lowest numbered District upon victory so, without further ado, let's go!"
"Pair one, Ezra picked a pink ball, Paisley chose the blue ball, they will go to District One."
"Pair two, Stefan picked pink, Violet chose pink, they will go to District Two."
"Pair three, Rory chose pink, Psyche chose blue, they will go to District Six."
"Pair four, Nicholas chose pink, Akhal chose blue, they will go to District Ten."
"Pair five, Noelani chose blue, Ellie chose blue, they will go to District Three."
"Pair six, Qanom chose pink, Hyacinth chose pink, they will go to District Five."
"Pair seven, Gary chose pink, Cerulean chose pink, they will go to District Six."
"Pair eight, Linden chose blue, Laura chose blue, they will go to District Seven."
"Pair nine, Mikeo chose blue, June chose blue, they will go to District Seven."
"Pair ten, Beckham chose blue, Invidia chose blue, they will go to District Two."
"Pair eleven, Frederick chose pink, Althea chose blue, they will go to District Five." No. I knew it was coming, the moment they said what the balls meant, I knew for a fact Akhal chose blue. It was her favorite colour. But only now, finding out if I won with Althea I would go live with her in Five, it made me feel sick.
"Pair twelve, Andrew chose pink, Chrisjen chose pink, they will go to District Seven. Now, every year, the victors must mentor the Tributes of their home District. However, other than the victory tour, they will not go home again and will instead live and raise potential families within the District they have been given."
This made me feel worse. I was never a family guy but never seeing them again was sad. I had grown up in Ten, I had got used to everything there, the shop, the people, the work. Never walking down the same streets again frightened me. I just wanted to go home.
And there we have the pairs. The blog has been updated although, there is no information on their pages yet. I will get around to that.
For now, I am going to go away for a bit and plan out everyone's storyline (some already have one) and where this story is going. I will use this time to plan the blog and such. I will also try and get some updates for Chosen Warriors done as it is very clear this had had my attention for a long time.
For the balls, they work the same way as I have planned out who gets what at the bloodbath, random. Before I even had the pairs I decided who picked what ball. This is just how the cookie crumbled.
The pairs were all voted for by you. Some were very close but most had a very clear dominate pair. Thank you to everyone that voted.
I have a few Questions this time:
Question 1: What do you think of your character's partner?
Question 2: What do you think of the other pairs (So any friendships, romances, hatred, betrayal around the corner)
Question 3: Who do you think has the best chance?
Question 4: Any potential storylines on the horizon do you think?
Any questions, feel free to message me, I'd be happy to answer them!