"Now the old king is dead, long live the king!
Jazz Strongheart
District One Male
15 December, Year 168
Ella Paraiba is a stuck-up talentless piece of trash.
The instructors only love her because her brother is the Academy's top pick for tribute. Alex Paraiba is the number one pick for this year's volunteer, and she loves him to death. That's stupid. If your family's dishonourable, you need to leave them. Dishonour is contagious.
And I should know. Jewelia deserved to die, that one-trick pony.
Of course, unlike Jewelia, I'm in all the highest-ranked classes for my age. I'm not a piece of crap. Ella is too, but I bet even she struggles to keep up with me. She uses butterfly knives, after all. Even though she dual-wields, those tiny things are nothing compared to my fists. With weapons like mine, being Top Boy comes too easily.
Life's pretty good right now, I think. The Academy is great, I'm acing all my exams. Well, not the actual school ones. They're for nerds like Lionel Smith. And the best part?
It's December. In the last week before break, it's utter chaos and I love it. Because this week is Fight Week. Everyone thinks it's their week, but they're wrong. That includes Ella. Fight Week is my time to shine.
I've smashed my way through half the Under 14 fixtures already. Everyone else uses twirly swords and dinky knives, but I have something solid and useful. It's natural that I come out on top. I've never lost any fight since the first day I stepped into the Academy. Today, I'm going to obliterate everyone in my path.
And my first opponent is Ella Paraiba.
I step into the Academy, an enormous smile on my face. Not many people are usually here this early, but it's Fight Week, so of course it's absolutely packed. I can feel the excitement in the air. Good. They'll cheer super loud when I win the overall competition on Friday.
The instructors have to wheel in extra stands from the District Stadium so everyone can sit and watch the fights in the gym. Miss Galena is probably already laying the mats down and making jokes to Headmistress Addison. Then racks and racks of our best weapons will be wheeled in. That's the best part. All the weapons I'm usually allowed to use in training are blunt and horrible. These ones will sing as I wield them.
I see Ella training with some other nerd, her ponytail flying as she wields her knives. She's probably doing a lot of things wrong, but I don't notice. I've never wasted any precious time on butterfly knives plus I'm likely blinded by my burning hatred for her.
Ella flicks the knives, the blades disappearing as the handles trap them, and tucks them into her belt. They're a marbled blue and purple with silver accents, too artisan for the Academy to afford. Of course she'd have her own knives with her. This is the one week of the year she's allowed to use them in the Academy.
They look like flimsy, twirly things I could split with my bare hands. Maybe I'll do that in our match. Now that would be hilarious.
"Students, report to the gym for our first fixture," blares the intercom suddenly, making me jump.
I push my perfect hair back, and make my way towards the gym. I'm important, so it's imperative that I get there first. It feels great to push everyone else aside and see the look in their eyes, especially Lionel Smith. If the seas do not part for me, I'll make them.
When the weakling students are comfortably in their seats, Headmistress Addison strides out to the mats, microphone in hand. She's wearing an ugly blazer that makes her look old. I hear she was smoking hot when she won, but now she's just an old lady.
"Welcome everyone, to the third day of Fight Week!" she announces, to thunderous applause. "Some of our most talented and noble recruits are here to showcase what they've learned to the whole school. The overall Champion Boy and Champion Girl from the Over 16s will be honoured at the next One Conference."
I can feel everyone's eyes drift to Amilie St. Germain and Alex Paraiba a few seats down from me. Apparently they're the best in the year. What fakes. At least they'll have someone skilled to stare at when I turn sixteen.
"Now, after the first block of duels are finished, you are allowed to get food from the trucks around the Academy. You can mess around a little, but make sure to get back for the next block. There will be consequences. Now, for the first round, Amilie St. Germain versus Quartz Martin."
The two girls begin fighting. They're both sword users, so of course the fight is bland as heck. I would voluntarily snap Quartz Martin's neck, but the Academy doesn't recognise real talent. Quartz is easy anyway. Amilie easily disarms her without any of the cool stuff.
I don't even bother paying attention to the other meatheads fighting. Ella, that nerd, never looks away. I have standards. She just learns whatever comes her way. And that's about to be her downfall.
"And for our next match, Jazz Strongheart versus Ella Paraiba. Students, take the stage."
I smile widely and wave as I step onto the mats. I gesture for an assistant to hand me a club, and he obliges. Ella raises her eyebrows, and flicks open her knives.
"Begin."
I march forward, club in hands, and swing it in her direction. Ella ducks. Dammit! She slashes towards my thigh, but I step out of the way.
"You think you can beat me? You swing like a girl!"
I laugh at my joke. It's funny because Ella is a girl. She's weak like one too.
I hit the ground suddenly, Ella pressing her knife to my throat. This isn't meant to happen! Ella swings like a girl!
"Shouldn't have said that, Strongheart."
Ella steps off me and tucks her knife back into her belt. She remains silent as the trainers commend her on her not-so-well-earned victory. Prude.
The next thing I know, Alex Paraiba is offering me a hand up and a drink. That stuck up prick has the audacity to even try patronising me as if I have no skill whatsoever.
I spit in his hand. We'll see who's the loved volunteer when the Reaping draws near.
All of it seems to be the same to me, but if it's not, then can you please explain?
Luna Artemia
District One Female
15 December, Year 168
District One Brilliance Academy
Training and Educator's Portal
Last Updated: 15/12/69
TO: GALENA, Penina
FROM: ADDISON, Adulaia
Girls Training
Hi Penny,
As Head Of Senior Girls Division, I think your choice to nominate Amilie St. Germain for our volunteer next year is a good decision. She is overwhelmingly capable with conventional weapons and survival skills, and I believe she will represent us well in Games 169. She didn't do too tell in the intelligence test, but her scores in other areas were so excellent it balances out. I'll touch base with Chrysaor regarding that Alex Paraiba boy. He's only sixteen, after all.
But that's not why I emailed you. This is in regards to a girl who will be joining the Senior Girls next year by the name of Luna Artemia. She's a special case, and I feel like you need to be alerted of her and what you might have to deal with while teaching her.
Luna's from the orphanage, and seems to not be capable of advanced communication. She does not do well in school, and has next to no friends. The only reason we haven't let her go yet is because she shows overwhelming proficiency in climbing and wielding a naginata. I've attached her case file, write back soon and tell me your thoughts.
Regards,
Headmistress Adulaia Addison
Victor of the 125th Hunger Games
TO: ADDISON, Adulaia
FROM: GALENA, Penina
Re: Girls Training
Hey Headmistress,
Luna seems pretty unstable. But she's definitely better than me at the naginata. And Addy, you know I can't climb for shit.
I ran into her in the hall. She seemed like a sweet girl, but totally out of it. I sat in in one of the Junior classes once and she looked like she just chugged down a can of Capitol Energy. Kind of like a feral cat. Did you get that impression?
I'll be able to handle her. No problem.
Penina Galena
~Victor and all-around badass~
TO: GALENA, Penina
FROM: ADDISON, Adulaia
Penny, change your signature
Morning Penny,
You can't talk about Luna chugging a Capitol Energy. You know you were the reason coffee took up more of our budget than weaponry before you graduated.
But I spoke to Chrysaor. If he can handle Alex Paraiba and his constant partying in the Games next year, you can handle one feral kid. The little Paraiba is probably going to volunteer in a few years anyway if you want someone more responsible.
I'll see you at the Graduation Ceremony.
Regards,
Headmistess Adulaia Addison
Victor of the 125th Hunger Games
I'm not too sure what a Capitol Energy is. Likely some kind of lightbulb.
I know they were talking about me, as if I was a little sick kitten. Well, I've always liked cats. I consider knocking over Miss Addison's computer just to prove that point, but decide it would be too petty. It's a miracle I even got into her inbox. Maybe she just does not believe in security.
I hear footsteps outside. Oh no.
I didn't put a chair against the door like I did when I snuck into Matron's room when I was little. That'll only make her suspect that someone's in there more. I slam the off button on the computer, and pull off my gloves, shoving them under the fancy carpet. I'll hope no one steps there.
Now I need to find someplace to hide. I always thought tablecloths were useless. Maybe not, the fancy large thing draped over the table is enough to cover me. I scoot under the table. Hopefully she won't find me.
The door creaks open. I don't want to be found. Not at all. I'm just going about my break, but Miss Galena and Miss Addison scare me.
The footsteps come into the room slowly, like a cat. I like cats. Cats wouldn't get in trouble if they're found. They can just claw and jump, and if they die they always have eight more lives. But I am not a cat. So I stay under the table even though my body is screaming for me to run, run, run.
I hear a small chuckle, and I bring my knees to my chest. The table's low against my head, and it hurts. I hope I don't knock anything off.
The chuckle gets louder, and I can hear paper rustling. I think there was a stack on the desk.
Then the door creaks, and I exhale. But I can't bring myself to leave the room yet.
It seems like ages until I feel safe to walk out again. But maybe I'm wrong. My teachers tell me I'm wrong a lot and I never seem to be top of the class. But that is not sneaking into Miss Addison's room and hiding under the table. I think I'm quite good at that.
Now I think I might go back home. I climb out from under the desk, and leave the room. I need a good night's sleep.
In case it wasn't clear, Luna opened Adulaia's computer and read her emails. The first three sections of her POV are emails from Penina and Adulaia and the last is her POV.
So, this is the District 1 pair, Jazz and Luna, submitted by BDD15 and DefoNotAFangirl! They're not your typical One tributes and it's going to piss all the mentors off.
I'm doing intros for all the characters, and then I'll do a different POV for the reaping overview. It'll be needed because of the situation in One.
What were your thoughts on Jazz and Luna? The Academy? The format I used for Luna's POV?
Next up will be Two if I can get a male submission in time or Nine if I don't. Please keep submitting, I have some really cool ideas for this story that I want to share! Thank you to everyone who has already submitted, I value your contributions greatly.
See you next time!
-Reed