A/N
I have really been slacking lately with my updates (well by my own high standards I've set myself, of course). I have been sorting out buying my first house, so that actually takes up a lot more time than I had anticipated, even at this early stage. Alas, I am back and I have finished the intros! And to finalise our wonderful cast, may I graciously introduce to you Peach (submitted by darthnell), Sayuri (submitted by SakuraDreamerz) and Accel (submitted by Reign of Winter). Hope you enjoy meeting these final three tributes as much as I enjoyed writing for them!
Peach Bellini, 18, District One Female
It was finally happening.
The day that Peach Bellini had been dreaming of since she was a young girl was merely a sunrise away. She knew it hadn't just been the daydreams of a child, like wanting to be a princess or to have wings that could carry her away to cloud-filled worlds. No, her dream had always been a real one, though it was only in that moment as she sat in the soft leather chair with her feet perched delicately on the silver bar that she felt the need to pinch herself.
Peach felt the sting as her manicured nails closed around a millimetre of skin on her forearm. She felt a warm hand rest against her skin a moment later.
"You ok?" asked her best friend, Beau. His face, despite his skin being a smooth milky white, radiated warmth as he offered her one of his signature smiles. A small upturn in the corners of his pink lips that gently ran into the slightest of dimples in his cheeks; it was a smile that Peach knew all too well.
She nodded, careful not to move her head too much as the silver foils rested against her shoulders.
"It's just crazy how the Reapings are tomorrow," she said, a flutter of tiny butterflies swarming in her stomach. "After all this time, it's so close."
Beau said nothing as he lifted his hand away, returning it to his lap where it then retreated inside the long sleeve of his sweatshirt.
"Do you remember how only a year ago we thought the Games may never return?" continued Peach. "Well, you thought that –I always knew they'd come back."
In truth, Peach obviously hadn't known for certain that the Games would return. She had just desperately believed with a passionate refusal to consider otherwise, as the thought of everything she had been working towards becoming obsolete was just, well fucking terrifying. The fact that the Games had returned in Peach's final year of training had been the sweetest of reliefs; the timing had been so perfect that it was almost poetic.
"Are we ready to wash, Miss Bellini?" asked the hairdresser, approaching her side.
Peach smiled with a bubbly excitement.
As she made her way across to the basin, tipping her head backwards and letting her eyes fall closed as the finest of shampoos were massaged into her hair and water at the perfect temperature cascaded through the strands, Peach found her thoughts flitting between remnants of the past and visions of the future.
This day five years ago, was Sapphire Hyland going through the same motions as Peach? What had she been thinking on the eve of her final Reaping day? Had she been excited? Nervous? Being several years younger than her predecessor, Peach had never known Sapphire on a personal level, though she had observed her training in the Academy prior to the eighty sixth Games. Sapphire's death had, however, struck a chord within Peach and even five years later, she still found herself recalling the morbid beauty in her demise. Her body consumed by gold, drowning in a veneer of glory; it was a metaphor in itself. Irony enjoyed making itself heard, and Peach had undoubtedly listened.
Peach had requested to face away from a mirror as the hairdresser dried and styled her hair. She wanted the first look at her new style to be pristine.
And pristine it was.
Waves of gold and platinum fell down her back, bouncing from her shoulders and tickling her exposed neckline as she gently shook her head, watching as strands caught the spotlights and glistened around her. Her natural darker shade was a thing of the past as Peach pouted with delight in the mirror as she ran a hand through her new blonde locks.
"What do you think?" she turned to Beau, who was now standing with his hands thrust into the pockets of his tight black jeans.
"It suits you," he replied. "You look gorgeous, as always."
"Thank you," Peach planted a dainty kiss on Beau's cheek, before gasping as her eye caught a photograph in an open magazine that lay on a nearby table. Rushing over, Peach plucked up the magazine and held it open towards Beau.
"You have got to go for this style for tomorrow!" announced Peach, tapping a nail on a photograph of a dashing but also hopelessly adorable curled style. "In fact, I'm going to book you in right now."
Not taking no for an answer, Peach elegantly swooped across to the counter in the centre of the salon, placing the magazine down and enthusiastically gesturing towards the photograph.
"My friend Beau over there would like to book an appointment for tomorrow morning before the Reapings," she told the woman behind the counter. "He'd like this style please."
The woman nodded, making a note on the electronic pad beside her. "That's booked in for eight o'clock tomorrow morning."
"Brilliant," smiled Peach, reaching for her purse. "I'll just pay for mine now…"
A slender, sleeved arm slid in front of Peach, a golden card tucked between the fingers.
"This one is my treat," insisted Beau, handing his card to the woman behind the counter, who took it for payment. "And before you try to argue, it was my mother who made me promise not to let you pay for it."
Peach looked at her best friend, a tug at her heartstrings. The Ducreme family had been nothing but generous to Peach, both in a material and an emotional sense. She knew she could never repay them other than appreciate their kindness and extend her love back towards them.
"Ok fine," she returned her purse. "But I'm buying the fraps this time. No ifs, no buts, no maybes."
Without resistance, Beau agreed to the terms of the deal as the two of them left the salon. Peach's favourite coffee shop stood at the end of the street; it was a quaint shop with ridiculously aesthetic features which appealed to Peach's love for all things pretty. The old fashioned bell rang with a sweet sound as she opened the door and made her way to the counter.
Ordering their usual frappucinos –extra cream and chocolate sprinkles for Peach and half an extra shot of coffee for Beau, as well as a coffee-free flavour for Beau's brother Bell –the two of them made their towards the Ducreme household.
Bronte and Opal Ducreme had not long arrived home themselves when Peach and Beau walked through the front door. Bell was with them, and his face lit up the moment his eyes fell on Peach and the frappucino held in her hand.
"Oh Peach, your hair looks stunning!" complimented Opal Ducreme, dashing over and gently running her fingertips across one of the soft curls.
"Loving the new look," agreed Bronte, nodding with approval. "Are you staying for dinner? We were thinking of ordering from the seafood restaurant in the square."
Usually, Peach wouldn't have hesitated in accepting a dinner invitation from the family who treated her as their own, but there was a subconscious pause as Peach stood in the hallway.
"I'd love to," replied Peach, before her face fell into a neutral expression. "But I think I should spend the evening at home tonight."
An understanding looked passed Opal's face as she took Peach's hand in her own. "Of course, we understand. You'll be around for breakfast though, won't you?"
Peach nodded. "I could never say no to a Ducreme breakfast."
Bidding goodnight to Opal, Bronte and Bell, Peach lingered outside the front door as Beau walked out to stand beside her.
"Are you sure you want to spend the night at home?" Beau asked with light concern. "You know you're always welcome here."
Peach nodded. "I'm sure. You should spend some time alone with your family. Besides, it's not like we'll be apart after the Reapings. You and me forever, right?"
Beau said nothing as he wrapped his arms around Peach, his warm and sweet scent like cotton candy filling her nostrils. Biting her lip to keep a stray tear from breaking down the side of her cheek, Peach clung onto her best friend for just a moment longer. Whilst she was acutely aware what both of them going into the arena would mean, she knew deep down that she couldn't face the Games without him.
"I'll see you in the morning," whispered Peach, ruffling Beau's hair before turning away and walking in the direction of her own home.
As she fished out her key for the front door and slid it into the lock, Peach sighed heavily to herself. Pushing the door open and walking into the house, she noticed that the lights in the kitchen were on.
"Is that you, Peach?" the sound of her mother's harsh voice sounded through the hallway.
Peach walked into the kitchen to answer her mother's question, leaning against the doorframe.
Minerva Bellini was slumped on a stool beside the kitchen counter, a glass half filled with amber liquid in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Her eyes paraded up and down Peach's body before she scoffed loudly.
"Congratulations," she hissed sarcastically. "You certainly look the part now."
Peach felt her jaw tighten.
"Did you want to talk about anything before tomorrow?" Peach asked calmly, ignoring her mother's scowl. "I'm still going to volunteer, so it may be your last chance to speak to me properly. I thought maybe…"
"What's there to talk about?" Minerva rolled her eyes. "You're a foolish girl, as you've always been, throwing your life away like that."
"I wouldn't be throwing my life away."
"So naive," muttered Minerva, swirling the contents of her glass around. "See if I care when you're bleeding out on national television."
Sucking in a sharp breath, preventing any flicker of emotion from showing, Peach slowly turned away from her mother and made her way towards her bedroom. Ensuring her own composure, Peach quietly shut the door behind her and stood before the large mirror that hung on the peach painted wall. A softness brushed against her ankles as her cat, Sylvia, nestled into her. Peach bent down to stroke her –the only form of affection she ever found within the house – before straightening herself up and gazing into the reflective surface.
Dressed immaculately, with the blonde hair to match, Peach perfectly resembled the stereotype that had come before her. An airhead blonde from District One seeking attention and affection from the world; that's what her reflection said.
But inside? Inside Peach knew that she was more than that.
She had to be.
Sayuri Novem, 17, District Three Female
The drumsticks felt light in Sayuri's hands. Slender and wooden, like the handles on her parents' closet.
She tapped the tips of the sticks against the tight skin of the drum. They moved in unison, barely an inch apart like the slither of a gap between the closet doors.
The beat, a steady but pounding rhythm. It increased with rapid strokes, like the thumping of her heart as her eyes had widened in terror as she saw—
"Sayuri?"
She stopped. Looking up from her instrument, Sayuri's eyes found those of her friend Aria, whose pupils were dilated and eyebrows knitted into a gentle, but concerned frown.
"The set's finished," said Aria softly, her eyes quickly glancing back towards the two other members of the band before returning back to Sayuri.
"Oh…" Sayuri began, a little disoriented as she struggled to regain focus. "I mean, yes, I just got carried away. Lost in the music. You know how it can be."
Aria appeared to regard Sayuri's response with a peppering of doubt, though she chose not to question it, much to Sayuri's relief.
"Hey Sayuri!" called Watzon, the lead guitarist and self-proclaimed manager of the band Nova Rox. "You angling for a solo there? Or were you trying to start a fire with those sticks?"
Subtly rising to her friend's defence, Aria strolled over to Watzon, resting a hand on his chest as her hip lightly brushed against his.
"She just got lost in the music," Aria told him, flashing a brief but reassuring smile towards Sayuri. "You know how it is, babe. I've heard you do it more than once."
Watzon shrugged casually. "Well, when you're making music as good as we are then it's impossible not to get carried away. Mind you, gigs are starting to dry up lately –must be because of the Games. No one wants to listen to soft rock when kids are about to die on national television again. Can't say I blame 'em."
Aria screwed up her nose. "Oh don't talk about the Games, Watt. I wanted to do band practise instead of thinking about it. It's already awkward enough at home with me being the only one still eligible reaping age."
"Ah, I'm sorry," Watzon apologised, wrapping his arm around the small of Aria's waist. "How about we go get pizza to take your mind off it? Sayuri, you coming? Trexx?"
The final member of Nova Rox lifted his head from the tangle of wires he was trying –and failing –to unravel.
"Did I hear pizza?" he asked, his interest sparked.
Watzon nodded. "Yeah, but you're paying."
Trexx shrugged. "Fairs. I'm in."
"Let's lock up and get going then," said Watzon, with a gentle smack to his girlfriend's rear end. Aria giggled, winking at him in response as she fetched her jacket.
Sayuri hung back as the rest of the band gathered their belongings. As they reached the door, Aria turned back, noticing that Sayuri had remained behind.
"Are you coming, Sayuri?" asked Aria, propping the door open with the toe of her boot. "We can share a double pepperoni if you want?"
Sayuri chewed the inside of her lip.
"Erm, actually I'm gonna pass on this one," she said eventually. "I have dinner plans at home. You know, pre-reaping things and that. But you guys go and have fun, I'll see you tomorrow?"
Watzon and Trexx seemed relaxed about Sayuri's excuse, barely batting an eyelid between them as their minds were clearly focused on the cheese-topped greasy meal that awaited them. Aria, however, remained unconvinced as she ushered the boys out of Trexx's garage and turned to Sayuri.
"Everything ok?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to one side.
Unlike most, Aria was aware about the events which tortured Sayuri's thoughts. Aware of the real truth, that was. The murder of Sayuri's parents and her aunt and uncle's subsequent execution were not unknown within District Three, but very few people knew the truth behind the sensational scandal. Aria was one of those people, as well as the only witness to the crime: Sayuri herself.
Though eight years had passed since that night, the anger still lingered. Sayuri's tears had dried long ago, but the flames of rage and vengeance were not so easily dowsed.
But that was something Sayuri did not often share with Aria, nor anyone else. How could anyone understand how she felt? People would express their sympathies, if they even remembered the poor orphan girl, but after the time that had passed it was simply assumed that Sayuri would have moved on by now. Time is a healer, they said. But time wouldn't bring her parents back, or return her aunt and uncle from the noose.
"Yeah, everything is fine," Sayuri lied, but convincingly. "Just with it being the reaping tomorrow, Grandpa wanted to have a family dinner. Can't really say no, you know?"
"Oh of course not," agreed Aria. "It's important for you to spend time with your family, especially after everything. If you ever want to talk, you know I'm always here to listen."
Sayuri forced a smile to her lips.
"Thanks, Aria."
After hugging her best friend farewell, Sayuri used the keys that had been entrusted to her by Trexx to lock the garage behind her and then began the short walk home. She and Trexx lived nearby to each other; it was how they had become friends, as they used to walk the same route to school each day. Trexx had then introduced Sayuri to Watzon and Aria, as the group had been looking for a drummer to finalise their band. Sayuri had always enjoyed listening to music, and had picked up the drumming skill pretty quickly once she discovered that it did wonders for keeping her inner anger at bay.
The front door was open when Sayuri arrived home. At first her stomach flipped at the sight of the open door; anxiety and fear of history repeating itself had never fully left her. However, it soon transpired that her cousin Noemi had spotted Sayuri walking down the pathway and had left the door open for her.
"Band practise go well?" Noemi enquired as Sayuri kicked off her shoes and hung her jacket on the rack beside the front door.
Sayuri nodded. "Yeah."
"Oh that's good," replied Noemi. "Grandpa's almost finished cooking, by the way."
With little else to say, Noemi wandered back into the lounge where she began scalding her twin brother, Nicki, for stuffing handfuls of snacks into his mouth and decorating the carpet in a scattering of crumbs.
Choosing not to follow her cousins, Sayuri instead drifted towards the kitchen, where the sound of bubbling pans and the smell of home-cooking beckoned.
Edison Novem, Sayuri's grandfather on her mother's side, was hunched over the cooker when Sayuri walked into the kitchen. He didn't notice her presence at first, until he turned to reach for the salt, where Sayuri appeared in his peripheral vision.
"Sayuri, my girl," he greeted her warmly. "Fancy giving your old grandpa a helping hand? I just can't figure out what this soup is missing."
Sayuri walked over to the cooker, picking up a spoon from the counter and dipping it into the large saucepan. Bringing the spoon to her lips, she sipped at the soup.
"A little more soy sauce, I'd say," said Sayuri, picking up the bottle beside her and adding a few dashes. "There, that should do it."
"Your mother was the one with the keen tastebuds," her grandfather sighed, mopping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. "Takeru, on the other hand, oh he'd eat anything you put in front of him. Probably eat a bowl of shit if you didn't tell him what it was."
Edison Novem didn't often speak out loud about his children, at least not in front of Sayuri or her cousins. Sayuri could only guess that the return of the reapings, which were to be held the next day, had brought out a more emotional side to the older man.
Sayuri's grandfather had always been caring towards her and her cousins; having taken responsibility for their care after both sets of parents had gone. Sometimes in her own grief, Sayuri had forgotten that she wasn't the only one who had lost something dear to her.
Seeing the ripple of effects that one malicious act could cause, even eight years later, only added fuel to the flames of anger within Sayuri. She had contemplated seeking the villain in her ivory castle endless times, but with the Games approaching and the reminder of what Capitolites could get away with, her desire for revenge was growing exponentially.
To continue to remain in the comforts of her fractured, but loving family, or to set her anger free and finally seek justice –that was the debate that weighed on Sayuri's mind as she sat down to eat dinner.
She knew that regardless of her choices, she would always desire more. But more was not possible, not for Sayuri Novem. Nothing could turn back the hands of time.
Accel Hayes, 18, District Six Male
TW: Mentions of alcoholism
"Hey Accel, mind passing me the spanner?"
"Sure thing, sugar tits."
Reaching into the toolbox beside him, Accel retrieved the closest spanner and tossed it towards his friend and colleague, snorting as his skewed throw sent the tool skirting past the eager hands awaiting it, landing on the concrete ground with a clatter.
"Fuck man," complained Axle. "Could've thrown it a bit better than that."
Accel scratched his temple. "Could I though? Could I really?"
"Nah, probably not," Axle's sweat, grease and dirt covered face broke into a smirk. "You may have the looks, but you ain't got the skills."
"Pfft, I got skills," insisted Accel, before adding an exaggerated wink to the start of his next sentence. "Just not skills you'd ever get to witness –if you know what I mean."
Promptly, he began to thrust his hips into the side of the car he had been working on, screwing his face into the best smoulder he could manage as he let out a series of grunts and exaggerated moans.
He was just getting to the staged climax when a sharp cough startled him, causing him to stub his toe against the car tyre.
"I hope you asked her out for a drink first," commented the manager of the yard, his arms folded across his chest as a single eyebrow rose up his creased forehead.
The sound of the escaping snort from Axle's lips as he tried to hold in his own giggles was enough to tip Accel over the edge. The laughter that followed afterward was uncontrollable as he clutched his sides, tears brimming in the corners of his eyes.
"I'm sorry," Accel managed to squeeze the words out between laughs. "I really am."
Shaking his head, but clearly not annoyed, Accel's employer looked at the two boys. "It's amazing how you two ever get any work done, but surprisingly you actually do. If you wanna finish up a little early tonight, given the circumstances, then feel free. I don't expect you in tomorrow either –have the day to yourselves."
In just a few sentences, all the laughter sharply dried up in the back of Accel's throat. The reminder of the Reapings brought a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach as he swallowed.
"Thank you," Axle was the first to speak. "We really appreciate it."
The older man nodded. "You alright to lock up then? I'm heading home early myself to see the kids. It's a real fucking shame that they've brought these Games back, a real fucking shame. All the best for tomorrow lads."
"We'll lock up, yeah," replied Axle. "Thanks, I'm sure we'll both be fine."
"I sure hope so," said their manager, heading towards the exit. "Ain't many lads as hard working as you –even if there is only one brain cell between you, and that one brain cell belongs to Axle."
"Which one?" asked Accel, as both of the boys' names sounded exactly the same on the tongue.
"Do I really need to answer that?"
Accel shrugged casually. "Fair play. Well we'll be back here in a couple of days for more underpaid labour!"
"You cheeky son of a –ah, you know what, I'll let you have that one," the older man rolled his eyes before leaving the yard, his hands pushed into his trouser pockets and his heavy boots kicking up a trail of dust in his wake.
Accel turned back to the car, biting his lower lip as he lowered his voice. "Now, where were we…"
"You're a fucking idiot, you know that," chuckled Axle.
"Well the boss confirmed," replied Accel, tapping his skull as though it were empty inside. "Got no brain cells. I guess I am just a pretty face after all."
And as if on cue, Accel's eyes caught slow movement from across the yard where two girls around the same age as he and Axle were walking and chatting in hushed whispers. The girls didn't seem to have noticed the two of them working in the yard, so Accel decided that he would make them notice.
"Phew, it's hot today!" he spoke loudly, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. Then, in one swift movement he yanked his grease-stained vest over his head, tossing it to the ground beside him. The gentle summer evening heat grazed across his toned stomach as he bent over to pick up the largest piece of scrap metal he could find, subtly glancing out of the corner of his eye to see that the two girls had slowed their pace as their heads had turned in his direction.
As he edged closer to the girls, making his way across the yard, Accel ensured to put on his cheekiest grin as he sent winks in their direction. One of the girls; the shorter of the pair, with caramel hair styled in loose waves to her shoulders; blushed as her pale green eyes caught Accel's amber irises.
"Evenin' ladies."
"Hey," the taller girl spoke first. "My friend thinks you're fit. Do you want to go out with her?"
Stricken with embarrassment, the girl who had caught Accel's eye sent an elbow into her friend's ribs.
"Does your friend have a name?" asked Accel, putting down the piece of scrap metal and ensuring that his abs were on full frontal display as the warm setting sun's rays caught all the right angles.
"Tessa," replied her friend. "We're actually going to a party tonight. You should come."
Accel would have lapped up an invitation to a party without a second of hesitation six months ago, but a brief reminder of what his life had once been was enough to keep him grounded.
He shrugged casually. "I'll see what time I get off work."
The taller girl rolled her eyes. "Well try not to disappoint Tessa, she wants to lose her virginity tonight in case she gets reaped tomorrow."
Tessa's face turned from a gentle shade of pink to a scorching red as her level of embarrassment soared off the scales. With a small squeak, she grabbed her friend by the wrist and retreated with haste, her head bowed to the ground to avoid catching Accel's eyes. The more talkative of the girls, who was now being dragged behind Tessa, wiggled her fingers in a farewell wave to Accel as she was paraded away from the yard.
With a small chuckle to himself, Accel walked back across the yard to the workshop, swiping up his vest along the way and sliding it back on over his head.
Axle was perched on the bonnet of the car the two of them had been working on, one leg drawn up towards his chest as the other one hung down the front of the vehicle. His eyebrows raised as Accel drew nearer.
"You get pied then?" he joked, nudging Accel's thigh with the toe of his scruffy shoes.
Accel snorted. "Don't be ridiculous; I never get pied."
"Pretty sure you have before."
"Oh fuck off," Accel tried to shove his friend off the car, but was met with a swatting hand. "They were actually heading to a party. I was invited, naturally. And one of the girls offered me the virginity of the other."
Axle's eyebrows raised even further up his freckled face. "Oi oi, why you still here then?"
Accel sighed, stretching his arms above his head. "As tempting as the offer was, I think I'd rather spend my evening with you, my dumb and mediocrely handsome friend."
"Oh man, I'm touched," Axle rested a hand against his own chest, before wrapping it around his drawn-in leg. "Nah, all jokes aside, I don't think I could stomach a party tonight."
Accel knew exactly how his best friend felt, because he felt exactly the same way. It was Reaping Eve for the first time in five years, and both boys were beginning to remember just how awful it all was. The anxiety, the fear and the dread of what the following day would bring was more than enough to put a sour taste to any idea of fun.
Putting all of his extroverted nature and class-clown personality aside, all Accel Hayes wanted to do was sit beside his best friend and enjoy his company in case it was the last night they would spend together.
Axle reached down beside him, rummaging in his drawstring bag as Accel slid himself onto the car bonnet. Hearing a quiet clink, Accel turned to see his friend pulling a bottle of whiskey into his lap. At the sight of the amber liquid sloshing about in the glass bottle, Accel averted his eyes. It had been six months since he had sworn to sobriety; having previously allowed himself to fall prey to the addictive clutches of alcohol.
Accel could not, however, block out the sound of the bottle lid being unscrewed and the liquor being hastily gulped beside him.
"Here," Axle nudged him. "Have a drink to calm the nerves."
Accel looked at the open bottle which was being offered to him. The grainy smell tickled his nostrils as he took a long, drawn breath.
Shaking his head, Accel pushed the bottle back towards his friend.
"I swore off that shit months ago," he insisted, remembering the days when he would stay up all night drinking himself into a mindless state, stumbling half-drunk into work the following morning where just the light of the sun was enough to make him sick. It was a path that had been hindering his work ethic, and a path that had mirrored his father's. And so, for the sake of his family and himself, Accel had sworn to a life of sobriety. A life he had managed to keep a tight hold of for the past six months.
And yet…
And yet he couldn't lie and tell himself that he wasn't tempted.
On numerous occasions before now, he had quite easily turned down offers of a drink. He had taken it in his stride, in fact, and had shown that he could still have fun without intoxication. But on none of those occasions had a Reaping loomed before him.
Not like now.
"It's just one drink," said Axle, swirling the bottle in his hand. "Just to settle the nerves, that's all. Come on, don't make me drink on my own. Not on Reaping Eve."
Accel's eyes fell onto the bottle in his friend's grasp. He felt his jaw tightening as his mouth moistened.
It's just one drink, he told himself. What harm could it do?
"Go on then," Accel caved in, taking the bottle from Axle and bringing the glass top to his lips.
The first sip was small and tentative, but as soon as the sweet yet spicy liquid dampened his tongue, Accel found himself craving more.
As the whiskey poured down his throat, Accel guzzling it down as though it were merely water, he closed his eyes and felt the cool summer breeze dance over his face as the sun dipped below the horizon.
With every mouthful he washed away his anxiety, his fear and his dread. As the night continued on, the thoughts of the Reapings shrunk ever smaller until they were but a distant memory, locked behind an impenetrable wall inside the darkest corners of his mind.
The feeling of letting himself go was addictive. Dancing on the bonnet of the car beneath the star-lit sky, stripped down to his underwear with an arm wrapped around the shoulders of his best friend; Accel had never felt freer in his whole eighteen years of life.
That feeling, no matter where it had come from –Accel needed more. And lots of it.
A/N
And that's a wrap on intros! It took a little longer than expected as my life has suddenly become a lot busier lately, but I am proud to have finished this part of the story and I am pleased that all of our tributes have now made their first appearances. I say this every time, but I am still so obsessed with how incredible all of these tributes are! As much fun as intros have been, I can't wait to delve into pre-games to start unpacking all their juicy layers and get some action kicking off!
But firstly, thoughts on these final three?
Peach was briefly introduced back in Beau's intro, but here we are able to see a little more of her side of the power duo. She's a lot more interested in the Games than Beau and is continuing to romanticise it, even in her remarks about Sapphire (shout-out to our D1 female from Crown of Thorns!). Peach wants to escape the stereotype that often follows Career girls from District One, yet she still clings to it in some ways, such as dyeing her hair blonde. Why does she do this? Is it part of her strategy, or is she struggling to solidify her own identity? And whilst she still adores the idea of volunteering and entering the arena, she feels as though she couldn't do it without Beau by her side. Will the Games live up to her romantic expectations, or will the reality sink in, especially when she's faced with the fact that both her and Beau cannot walk out alive together?
Sayuri harbours a lot of anger and resentment for the traumas of her childhood. She witnessed the murder of her parents, and whilst her aunt and uncle were executed for the crime, Sayuri knows their innocence. But eight years later it seems justice has not yet been served, and Sayuri is torn between holding onto the family she has left, or seeking revenge. How will the Games impact on her hunt for justice? And who in their 'ivory castle' was behind the murder of her parents and what does the Capitol have to do with it?
Finally, Accel began the final intro with a lighthearted touch. He is a joker, the class-clown and seems not to take himself too seriously. But with the reaping looming, his past demons return and he is faced with temptation to fall back into old habits. Unfortunately, the anxieties got the better of him and he gave into those temptations. What will the consequences of this be? Will Accel regret his moment of weakness?
As we have now been introduced to all of our tributes, I would love to know your thoughts about them all. Who are your favourites at a first glance? Who intrigues you? What sort of interactions can you see occurring when they all come together in the Capitol?
If you check out my ffn profile you'll see that I've posted a little poll for you all to join in with! It's a simple poll to vote for your favourite three tributes after intros, and results will be posted in a couple of weeks. It's completely blind, so no one (including myself) will know who you have voted for, so go ahead and be as honest as you want! There may even be a prize for the most popular tributes somewhere further down the line in the story...
Thank you to everyone for keeping me going through these intros; you're all the best! Next chapter we will be checking in on some of our subplot characters, before jumping in to a special Reaping chapter before Capitol chapters commence. I'm excited to progress to the next phase of the story!
Until next time!
Firefly.