-Amari, D6M-
One thing I've learned about Demetria Dawn is that she's very unpredictable. Yesterday, she woke us up very gently and apologetically. Today, I wake up to her ripping the sheets off of me and shouting, "Up! It's time to get up!"
I groan, but sit up. She's in one of those batshit crazy moods today. I have to wonder why she goes back and forth so often. She's a Capitolite, though. Capitolites are absolutely disgusting, of course. Hell, it's all Demetria Dawn's stupid fucking fault that I'm even here right now, and not back where I belong with Kyle and Lydia, and all my adoring peers!
But, now, she's my only stupid fucking hope to get sponsors, and I best not get on her bad side. I've learned from Poofy-Hair that if you're constantly angry and hateful, you'll never get anywhere in the Capitol. Poofy's been nothing but negative, and Demetria hates her. She likes me, though, because at least I hide my undying hatred of her behind a smiley veil.
I get dressed and brush my teeth, sighing disdainfully at my still-red-and-silver hair. I just want it to be black again. I wash my face and scrub my teeth and get dressed in my usual training outfit, groaning at how strange it is to wear a jumpsuit. I hope out Arena outfits aren't as weird as this. I go out to breakfast, where the mentors are sitting with Demetria. Poofy isn't out yet.
I sink in a seat next to my mentor Allocen. The Victor of the 71st Games, he's really my only hope. He won his Games by doing exactly what I wish I could do: he's like the stronger version of me. He talked the other tributes into trusting him and manipulated them to do exactly what he wanted with just words. He didn't do an ounce of work, not even in the finale. That poor girl from District 5 was already so tormented by what she had done, it was easy for the boy to convince her to take her own life. She was bloody, injured, and suffering already. He just had to finish the job for her. She gave into him and he won.
Of all the people to mentor me, I'm over the moon that it's him. He's a personality that I know very well, because it's eerily similar to mine. Since I'm not particularly strong or good at fighting, my charming, cunning, and words are going to be my biggest strengths. However, this is something much bigger than getting some nerd that thinks I'm hot to do my homework.
I've been asking Allocen to give me advice on how to sweet-talk people. I'm good at it, of course, but he's the master. This was a match made in heaven. He usually avoids Demetria when he can, but he talks about the Games like a fond memory, which is a bit off-putting. I'm in hell right now, the creeping thought that in a week I'll be in an Arena fighting for my life always there in the back of my mind. Poofy is stuck with the young and inexperienced Clara Revery. Allocen hasn't been much help to her, and Demetria is only a help every other day when she isn't hostile. Clara hates me, and she's made it known. It's because of some stupid grudge against someone in her Games who's dead now.
"Amari, elbows off the table!" she scolds forcefully. She scowls at me.
Allocen promised me that he'd sway her. He's still working on her, slowly. He also promised that any sponsors she brought away from me, he'd manipulate them with his words and charm until he got them back. It's much easier because not only is Billie handicapped, but she also hasn't done much to win sponsors. It should be easy for Allocen to sweep in and get the sponsors back on the rightful side: mine.
Billie comes out and sits down. Clara turns to her fondly. "Ah, good morning my dear! How are you? You know, Sweetheart, a good way to beat that tired morning feeling is…."
I tune her out. I don't care about her stupid advice. I heard them talking the whole train ride, though, about who-knows-what.
"How has your training been going?" she asks, butting her head into where it doesn't belong.
"I don't have to talk about it," I say simply. "But your outfit today is so fashionable." Simple, but the compliments will hopefully get her to drop the grudge.
She makes a sour face at me, and we go back to our breakfast, not speaking at all.
"Not like either of you have a chance," says Demetria, annoyed. "A deaf and a little kid!"
"He's young," says Allocen, blatantly honest as always. "But he's got it in him. I had it in me, all those years ago." He sighs happily. "He's like a mini-me! I love him!" He ruffles my hair.
I give him a small grin. "You heard the man. I'm gonna win."
"As if! I'm going to ensure your death, you little shit!" Clara balls her fists.
Demetria starts to laugh, as if expecting a fight. She claps and cheers Clara on. I do everything I possibly can to hold back a scowl at them all. I keep the easy, carefree smile on that I always have. My mentor has faith in me, even though I'm one of the youngest here, and that's what matters. I have to keep telling myself that.
Allocen stands up. He's a pretty big dude, and I'm glad that he's got my back even if nobody else does. "C'mon Amari, let's go have some words before training." He pulls me into another room.
"Do you have some kind of cool new information?" I ask.
"No, but Clara will be itching to know everything that's going on," he says, making a slight face. "But still. Just remember, the weak will die, the strong will survive. Focus on surviving more than killing. After all, sometimes you can get through it all without having to kill at all," he says, that fond smile coming back on his face.
"Come on, let's get downstairs," he says, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. I nod a bit and follow him into the elevator, Demetria and the girls in tow. We go downstairs and are among the first to be down there. I guess that Demetria just wanted us to be up earlier than everyone to suffer, I don't know. I hate her so much.
The other tributes gather, and after another brief lecture, we get released for our second day of training. Yesterday, I focused hard on survival and weapon skills, and today I need to focus on socializing. Obviously things aren't going to work out with Poofy, even if she was more pleasant, she's handicapped, and her mentor wants to spill my blood. I need to explore my options.
I want some allies, and have a strategy. I need someone close to my age, someone to charm. Someone pretty equal to me, who is pretty trustworthy. Someone for the long run, for sure. There's only one tribute my age, so that's an easy pick. Then, I'm going to look for an older tribute. Someone that'll protect us because they think we're cute, and will ultimately take the fall for us in a tight situation.
First, I have to go talk to Karima. She'd been talking with other people, but I need her to come with me. Sure, the girl is slightly pathetic, but I need someone who's weaker than me to be the easy target. I see her training hard with an axe, and honestly didn't expect her to be able to use it as well as she is. She seems to be simultaneously weaker and stronger than she should be. She's a little bit unsettling to me because I still haven't fully figured her out. I know that I can, I can figure anyone out. Some just take a little bit longer than others.
I notice her District partner paroozing around with the girl from District 10. I had seen him yesterday keeping a close eye on the younger girl, and had considered approaching him to get him to come with us. Unfortunately, something must've changed overnight, because today he doesn't even give a look over his shoulder.
I take another look around. The boy from 12 is training on knives. He looks pretty formidable, even though he's mute. I think I heard him talking somehow the other day, with whatever crazy Capitol technology they have now. I look at the girls. That girl from 4 seemed to like me at chariots, and I notice she's been eating separate from the typical Career pack.
I go to the girl from 8, her pregnant belly signaling that she might be compassionate to a couple of younger kids. She's at the medical station, listening to the trainer. I look at her and listen to what the trainer says.
"Hey there," I say. I wonder if she'll be immune to my flirting or not. Not a lot of people are immune to my charm.
"Hi," she says, focused on her work.
"Felicity, yeah?"
"That's right." She's pretty focused, but appears to like the attention.
"Tell me, what's such a pretty girl doing here by herself?" I ask, only half-focusing on the medical stuff.
"I'm focusing on survival," she says. "I have a lot on the line."
"I see." I don't think she's gonna do much for me.
The boys from 10 and 11 are spending a lot of time together. The girl from 7 talks with the Careers. The girl from 5 is mute and the boy is playing hanky panky with the 3 tributes. The boy from 7 has been talking to so many tributes, and besides, he's not too much older than me anyways. The boy from 8's messing with the Careers. The girl from 10 is with the boy from 9. The girl from 11's been quite solitary through this whole process, but she might be my only hope for a stronger decoy. The boy from 12 is another idea. The girl seems kind of soft, and she's been talking a bit to Karima as well.
I go to Martina first, where she uses a sword. I pick up the weapon and try to remember what I learned about it from the limited time I spent there yesterday.
"Hey there," I say, keeping confident eye contact, stomach turning at the synthetic color of her eyes.
"Hello," she says, before she practices slashing at the dummy.
"So, what's such a powerful, strong woman doing without anyone asking her to ally, huh?"
She puts her weapon down and gives me a glance. "I don't really know," she says.
"Well, wouldn't you want to have a couple of extra minds?"
"Possibly." She puts the sword up again and trains, and I start to train with her. I do a little fighting with a trainer, giving her glances. She seems pretty set in her ways. I thought maybe I could sway her to come with us, but I guess she's too focused on making it home.
"Sure you don't want some extra eyes? You're gonna have some long nights staying awake on watch," I say.
"I'm sorry, but allies aren't my style. I have one hell of a family waiting for me in District 11, and I'm not doing anything to put that in jeopardy. I can't afford to make strong bonds or connections."
"I respect that. It was a good talk anyways. I wish you the best of luck, Lovely Lady." Even if she's not allying with me, it's good to be one good terms with people. Just in case she may meet me later, maybe those words will stick.
They call us to go to lunch when I notice Karima on the climbing course. She is focused, still gripping that tiny bunny stuffed animal. The Careers are walking to lunch when she slips off of the course and hits the ground hard with a sharp whimper of pain.
Nautica from Eight is the first one to laugh, and soon all the Careers join as they walk to lunch together. I go over in the empty center to where she lays on the ground and notice that her lip is bleeding.
"Are you alright, Little Lady!?" I ask, coaxing her to sit up.
Her eyes, synthetically wheat-colored, fill with tears. I help her up to her feet and help her walk to the Capitol medical team on hand. They help her get situated, while I stay with her. I know that this is the best way to assure that she's going to ally with me. We get in and get some food on the tail-end of lunch.
"Thanks for helping me," she says quietly, "That was humiliating."
"Those Careers know nothing, Dear. They're just plain old mean, that's what they are."
"True," she sighs, spooning some food into her mouth weakly. I sit with her in a comfortable silence, and we don't talk. She's definitely weaker than I expected.
After lunch, we get back to it. Karima and I go from station to station together, and I notice her putting a lot of effort into her training. She starts a fire first with a confident grin of Victory. "See?" she says, "I can make fires faster than you can."
"Sure you can," I say eyebrow raising. When she puts her mind to things, or when she's feeling competitive I guess, she is good at what she does. By the end of the day, I'm back to being conflicted. She was weak on the climbing, and yet she was strong when she was trying to outdo me to prove herself. I know that allying with someone I don't completely get may not be good for me, but I have no other choice.
By the end of the day, I notice Wren talking with that girl from 4 pretty seriously, and they even do some training together. I realize that my only hope for an older buffer is gone, for now. I only hope that during the interviews or even on the first day I can sweet-talk someone into being our human shield.
We do have time, but it's starting to run out.
~.~.
-Wren, D12F-
I twist my token around my wrist as I sit at the medical station. I watch the lady as she demonstrates how to make stitches, trying to visualize how to make them correctly. The friendship bracelet from Tansy and Emberly is rough rope, barely anything really, but it's friendship. It's home.
I've always wished that my name was something prettier than Wren. Wren is too boyish for my liking. "Birds can be feminine," my parents agreed. I don't know. I wish I wasn't named after a bird, I wish I had a prettier name, like the name of a flower. Tansy and Emberly have such pretty names. Then you have Wren. I dwell on it more than I should.
Now, though, I fiddle with the bracelet as the lady puts needles through the flesh. My stomach turns, picturing the smell and feeling of blood as she makes stitches. Next to me, Felicity watches. She releases us to start practicing, and my hand shakes slightly as I hold a needle to the fake flesh. I can't imagine how I would do this to real flesh, but I can't dwell on it too much.
I start to make shaky stitches, trying to stay focused on this and pretending it truly is life and death. Pretty soon I won't have to pretend.
Pretty soon, I get antsy with making stitches, worried that other people are watching. I decide that I should let my nerves calm and get back to it later. As I see the boy from 6 approaching, I decide to move on. I go to the axe station, looking around. When I get there, I see the little one from 9 working really hard. I admire Karima's ability to fight, she's really doing well.
I watch her. I wouldn't be opposed to allying with someone younger than me, because I think I can protect other tributes really well. However, I've also been talking to Serafina Anya, from 4. Not only did she volunteer, but she's also good with weapons. She'd definitely be better for me than a younger tribute that isn't as experienced. Serafina Anya knows how to play the game. She could be my best hope.
I train alongside Wren for a little, watching her and how fervently she trains. The dear girl still has her bunny tucked into the collar of her jumpsuit as she heaves the axe around. My heart breaks for her. Her chances are so slim, the dear. She must know it, too.
I watch her for a while, learning how to throw the axe from the instructor. I find that I'm actually not too bad at it, which is relieving. At least I have some kind of defense. Even if I can't make good stitches.
I sit at the knot station, watching where Serafina Anya climbs with her District partner, smiling and chattering at him. He just looks bored.
We've been talking on and off, and I really feel like we have a good chance at being a formidable force. I make a fire next to the boy from District 2, who's been pretty quiet this whole time. I guess he's like Leo, not getting to know anyone.
I think that having an ally, though it could come with some emotional pain, has more pros than cons. I can have safety and reassurance, and someone to be on watch for me. Sure, maybe we'll actually become friends, maybe something will happen. But ultimately, alliances can be the ultimate difference between life and death. If Serafina Anya knows more about berries than I do, or survival, or especially close-combat, where I fall short… That could save me. And I certainly have to get home. There's a lot riding on it. I have friends there, family… I twist the bracelet around as I sit next to the silent Vidarr and try to make some kind of noose or trap.
I look around for Leo, and notice him throwing knives. He's getting better and better, it seems. I sigh, wishing I had something I wasn't shabby-at-best at. Better to be mediocre at everything than exceptional at just one thing. Someone who is brilliant with swords could easily die by eating poisonous berries. Someone good with bows and arrows could easily die by an inability to make a fire. It's not assured that we're going to get weapons from the Cornucopia, so the survival stations are crucial because they provide us a way to survive off of what we have.
I spend some time at the camouflage station. When I'm there, I see Briella from District 7, painting with mud and smearing grass on her arm. She looks like she's not entirely focused, as if she's in thought. I wonder what's going through her mind, but don't say anything to her. She's been getting buddy-buddy with the Careers lately. I don't want to mess with her.
They release us for lunch, and I quickly find Serafina Anya eating and go to sit next to her. She looks up, smiling brightly at me. She ate alone yesterday, and looks like she wants to have a friend.
"Hey," I say, smiling at her.
"Hi there Wren," she says. "How are you? How's training?"
"Not too bad. I found out that I can catch onto throwing axes pretty well, which is good."
"Oh, yeah, for sure. I've just been exercising and hanging out. I don't want to show off too many of my skills." She glances over to where the Careers sit and talk as they eat. "I'm already too big of a target as it is. I shouldn't give anyone any other reason to target me."
"Oh. Yeah. I get that." I start to second-guess myself, knowing that she is a target. What if the Careers find us and take us both out in one sweep!? I feel myself growing pale.
"Did you want to… I dunno, consider heading off together? I know we could do it! I know we could be a force to be reckoned with!"
"Oh…" I light up. "Sure!" I know that Serafina Anya is smart. And she has more skills than anyone will expect. What could go wrong? I smile at my new ally, and she returns it.
"So, tell me about yourself, a little bit. What're you fighting for?"
"Family. And friends. All my siblings and I were named after birds, based on the seasons we were born in. I was born in spring, and so was my sister Robyn. My brother Jay was a summer baby. My friends are named Tansy and Emberly. This friendship bracelet is from them." I show her over the table, and she nods. "How about you? Why did you volunteer?"
"I volunteered because the girl who was going to had to drop out. I didn't want to… I'm not a horrible person… Hence why I didn't join the Careers…" she gives them a glance, and when I look over, I catch Nautica's eye by mistake.
"Yeah. There are some crazy people over there. I'm glad my District partner Collin isn't going with them either. He's closed off and grumpy, though, and I don't think he likes me. But I like him. I think he's just misunderstood. He won't talk to me, though, so he's just going to be miserable. Oh well."
"I see."
"I have a sister that's older and a brother that's younger. My best friends' names are Sessa, Camilla, and Lowel. I want to get home to be alive, of course, but the fame and fortune isn't really a drawback either. I just have to make it through. But we can make it together."
I smile at her. "Very true. We can do it."
"That's the spirit, ally!" she beams at me, successfully bringing my spirits up.
"Let's divide and conquer, the two of us."
"Good plan."
We look up when Santana Villanueva sits down next to Serafina Anya.
"Afternoon girls," she greets. I shift, slightly uncomfortable at the gaze of the Capitolite on me.
"Oh, so good to see you Ms. Villanueva!" Serafina Anya says smoothly, giving her a relaxed smile.
"Hm. How has your training been going? I've noticed our volunteer hasn't done much so far. Your time is running out."
"I don't want to show off too much. A girl must keep her secrets," she says. I wish I felt as laidback about this as she did. It must be because not only is Serafina Anya so extroverted, she's also from a Career District. Their opinions of the Capitol are much different than ours.
"Hm. Very true. How about you, Wren? Working on that survival?"
"Yes," I say, trying not to appear nervous or shy. "That's right."
"Hm. Interesting. That will do you good. I see there's a strong dynamic between you two?"
"Oh yes," smiles Serafina Anya. "It's kind of a secret, but Wren and I are going to ally together," she says. "I suppose people will figure it out, but I'm gonna keep it on the down-low if I can."
"Ah. I see. Understandable. Well, I wish you luck. Remember, you're already in the afternoon of your second day of training. Anything you've been putting off should be worked on by the end of the day. This is your last chance to learn how to survive, so use it wisely."
"Thank you, Ms. Villanueva!" says Serafina Anya.
I nod and add a much more timid, "Thanks."
She stands up and her huge, fake eyelashes flick over to give us each a last look. "Yes. And may the odds be ever in your favor." She pulls her clipboard to her chest and walks away, her wavy black ponytail bouncing behind her.
I breathe a sigh of relief when she's gone, and another when I find Diesel Bundren on the other side of the room from us. I know that the Head Gamemakers are evaluating our every word, every gesture, every expression. I don't think it's ever been this thorough an examination in the past, but it's absolutely nerve-wracking. If I say one word that they don't like, I'll be dead before I know it. If I do one thing that looks suspicious or questionable, anything but obedient, they'll have my head. I'll be shipped back home in a wooden box. It still hasn't totally sunk in yet.
"It's crazy, isn't it?" she asks. Her eyes look like she might want to say more, but she holds her tongue. I wonder what District 4 could've possibly done to have a volunteer so incredibly unconventional.
"Yeah, definitely."
"They never told me anything about any of this at the Academy. It's as big a surprise for us as it is for anyone else."
"Really? So it definitely must be new to this year." I hope it doesn't last. If I were a mentor, it would break my heart to have my tributes put through the wringer like this. Maybe it'll be a one-year thing. I guess it depends on what happens in the Arena, and how early President Snow is out of recovery and well again. By the way everyone's talking, it should be pretty soon. Not that any part of Capitol rule's been any weaker with Snow recovering. They couldn't afford that.
We finish our lunch, and I go thankfully back to the center. Serafina Anya and I don't talk for the rest of the afternoon, we go our separate ways and show off different skills. The afternoon goes by slowly and I go from station to station, trying to get as much information crammed into my head as possible. Any of these little things could save me in a dire situation.
That evening, I have dinner on the District 12 floor. Leo eats and doesn't talk.
"Have you found any allies?" I ask Leo, trying of conversation.
"I haven't focused on it," he says. Or, well, whatever thing he has in his brain that lets him communicate says.
"Ah."
"Have you?"
I backed myself into a corner. "I may've found one."
"Aren't you just so helpful?" Haymitch slurs sarcastically.
"Haymitch!" Effie scolds, crossing her arms at him. Her pink lips form a scowl.
"Just saying," he shrugs.
"She's more helpful than you," Leo says. "You haven't given us any kind of advice at all."
"I did too! I told you, don't die. Plain and simple."
"Aren't you just so helpful?" Leo asks mockingly, rolling his eyes. I stifle a slight laugh. I would've laughed, if this weren't still a matter of life or death.
"Alright, alright," Haymitch snarls, but he doesn't stop drinking.
"Well, you are never going to ace your private training sessions tomorrow if you don't get your nutrients!" Effie says quickly, urging us to keep eating. The rest of the time is spent in an awkward silence. Effie tries to break it every once in a while, rambling on about posh Capitol stuff like her shoes and hair, and the galaxy fad that's spreading across the Capitol.
"Not everyone can pull off being the night sky," Effie says, glancing at her nails as if she's nervous she may have broken one.
Avoxes come and take our plates, and Leo and I sit on our hands to avoid thanking them. It's an instinct to thank someone when they do something for you. To have slaves like this is just… Heartbreaking and wrong. I hate it.
"Oh, yes, dessert! How wonderful!" Effie says, beaming and clapping her hands. I watch as they set out a pastry in front of us.
"Oh, French Apple Pie! This is only good with whipped cream! Avox, get us whipped cream to share!" A young woman nods and runs back to the kitchen.
"This is simply divine, you'll love it." She smiles expectantly as Avoxes come back with bowls of whipped cream, setting them by us. Effie digs in and Leo does so hesitantly after.
I get some of it on my fork and take some pie, putting it in my mouth after dipping it in the white, airy cream. The sweetness explodes on my tongue and fills my mouth with an explosion of deliciousness. I quickly take some more! I think this is by far my favorite thing that we've had. I continue to shovel the pie into my mouth, but only after dipping it in the whipped cream. The sweetness and tartness of the apples balances everything out. I finish my dessert and Leo lets me take the part of his that he doesn't eat. By the end, I'm full and much more satisfied than I had been at the start of dinner.
"Isn't that just wonderful?" Effie asks.
"Oh yes! It is!" I beam.
Effie perks up at receiving such an enthusiastic response. "I simply knew you would like it! If you were from one of those Career Districts, you wouldn't get dessert like that!"
I think of Serafina Anya, spending another night dessert-less. It must suck. Then again, being reaped into the Games where you could die with others that are much stronger and more trained than you also sucks. I think that sucks a little more.
"Right." I'm pulled back into reality from Apple Pie Land. I like Apple Pie Land much better, though. I like Apple Pie Land much better than I'm Going to Die Land. For sure.
"Now, you'll never do well in your private sessions tomorrow if you don't get plenty of rest! Showers and to bed now, both of you! I need my beauty sleep just like any other, of course," she says.
"You need a lot more beauty sleep than you're getting, Sweetheart," Haymitch says, sneering at Effie, who crosses her arms indignantly.
"I'm going to bed," Leo says. To avoid getting a headache from their bickering, is the implied second half of the sentence. That's certainly what I'm thinking.
I nod and follow him to our compartments.
"Good night Leo," I say. He goes into his room without responding.
I shower and realize that the black is fading out of my hair. I rinse and rinse until it's mostly all out. However I think it's still just one shade darker than my actual blonde, though.
I feel much more like myself when I climb into bed that night, and ready to face my final day of training and private session tomorrow.
~.~.
A/N: Hi! I'm so sorry that it's taking so long for me to get into the Games. I'm officially on summer break now (FINALLY!) so hopefully I'll be able to laser out these last POVs before the Games begins. I hope you're enjoying the story anyways.
Okay, so I have awesome news! With the summer, I've started a couple of totally new and awesome projects! First off, a collaboration story with my friend (WHAT?! Celtic has a FRIEND?! What IS this!?) Legend AKA Sinfonian Legend called Monochrome about the 27th Games. It's not an SYOT, BUT it's going to be one of the best stories on my profile, I just know it! I'm sooo excited about it, so if you want a read with some awesome OCs and some kickass character development, give it a read!
My OTHER project is another collab, this time with my other friend (Celtic has TWO FRIENDS?! WTF) Dreamer AKA HogwartsDreamer113 called Champion of Destruction. This one is another FULL SYOT that's going to be AWESOME! Also, it's smack-dab between this story and Dreamer's story about the 100th Games, so it'll have awesome elements from both in it! There will be lots of familiar faces from this story in that one, so check it out and please submit! Can't wait, hope to see you there!
I think that's all for now. OH NO IT'S NOT. My OTHER friend (look at all my friends people!) Kate AKA Kate-The-Great-And-Powerful is starting a partial SYOT called Luetis and needs tributes! If you like to make characters and want to see them written amazingly, consider sending them a tribute or two!
And myself and my OTHER friend Jess are also gonna do a collab for the 47th Games, so watch out for that sometime in the future! I am super excited for all these awesome projects! But I won't be neglecting this one. I wanna push through these last pre-Games chapters and get to the fun!
Now that's ACTUALLY all. Please review and tell me what you think, and let me know if you have any requests for things that you want to see more of! Remember, you're acquiring sponsor points that you can use for your tributes when we get to Arena time!
Chapter Question: Which alliance presented so far do you think will fall first? Which do you think will be the strongest? (Alliances: Iridesce/Callum/Maggie/Nautica/Riella OR Maggie/Riella OR Iridesce/Callum/Maggie/Nautica with Riella on her own, Cyra/Ductor/Hamilton, Vidarr/Collin, Amari/Karima, Serafina Anya/Wren, Kendal/Edgard OR Raoul/Edgard)
Wow, that was one HUGE A/N. If you actually read it all, kudos to you! I hope you submit some tributes to the awesome stories mentioned above and give Monochrome some lovin'!
