Thank you so much to chocolate chip homicide and the victor of panem for Alex and Joseph! I hope you enjoy the chapter that I should have really written in the beginning :)
Alexandrite "Alex" Danser, 18
District One Female
I hate this life, I think as I spin the sword in my hand, preparing to spar with another girl. She rushes at me and I shakily sidestep, lost in my mind. Her blade comes flying at my face and I lift mine up, a blaring, shrieking sound ringing across the room. The trainer comes running towards us and I smirk, pushing on my opponent's sword with all of my strength with sparks flying out. "Stop!" he yells, but I'm already too immersed into this fight, too into it, and I let go of the handle, ducking as her sword pierces the air where my head would have been. I roll over and grab her ankles, causing her to trip, and grab her by her hair, picking my blade up again. She looks up at me, grins, and thrusts her sword towards my gut, and I barely manage to dodge before I grab her by the neck, laying my sword on her delicate skin.
A group of five instructors come sprinting forward to separate us, and I let go of her neck, smirking as she coughs a few times. If only I were in the arena already and there were no rules towards how far I can go with someone, if only…
When I feel the instructors' cold hands on my arms, reality comes rushing back. I guess I've done it again, huh? I keep getting carried away by the adrenaline that comes from fighting… The thought of continuing to live a boring, controlled life makes me want to throw up, and fighting is one way I escape reality.
My father, Glamour Danser, is the mayor of District 1, and I'm expected to hold up a pretty girl façade to help out his reputation. He doesn't see me as a person, he sees me as a tool to get what he wants. It doesn't help that he climbed his way up to his current position from the claws of poverty. My mother, Pearl, isn't much better, as even though she acknowledges her husband's ways are wrong she doesn't do anything and goes along with everything he tells her to do. She also drinks a lot. I hope I don't end up turning out that way, following around my childhood sweetheart and doing everything he tells me to do. Then there's my little sister, Rarity, who's only 8. Sometimes I have to wonder what kind of person she'd be if it weren't for her father who also puts immense pressure on her to be perfect. What kind of person can do that to their own, sweet daughter? I love her, and I hate to see how stressed she is at a young age.
That's why I'm volunteering. Not only to save myself from my inevitable, fake, future, but also to save Rarity from the same thing. I'd rather die than live the life my parents want me to live. I don't want to be married off to some stuck up bitch for power, I want to feel the adrenaline coursing through me as I fight for my district, for my sister, for myself. I want to be free.
This hard clasp the trainers have on me isn't helping with that at all. I make sure to loosen my body and stop fighting back, and they let me go. I shoot a smirk at my opponent as she rubs her neck and a feeling of genuine happiness courses through me. How would I possibly be able to lose these Games? I smile to myself as I walk away to the changing rooms to change into my Reaping outfit. I rummage through the contents of my bag until I find the red tunic, black trousers, and leather jacket that I have packed earlier this morning. Perfect, it'll definitely give the Capitol a good first impression of me. I pack my training clothes into the bag and exit to see the face of who I'm sure will be the male volunteer, Joseph, smiling at me. He puts his hand on my shoulder and gives me a lopsided grin. I get what game he's trying to play, and I'll go along with it for the fun.
"Hey sweetheart, how's it going?" he asks me, his voice sounding pretty smooth. I flip my hair and turn to face him, raising my eyebrows.
"Oh? It's going great, especially when I get to speak with a handsome man like you."
He lets go of my shoulder and looks me dead in the eye. "So, Alex, how does it feel, speaking to your future Victor?" I laugh and shake my head.
"You're an arrogant one, aren't you? Don't think it's going to be easy, you haven't seen your competition yet." With that I walk off, making sure to sway my hips a little. I've never had or been interested in having an immersive romantic relationship with anyone, but what's the problem with having a little fun now and again? Even though Glamour tries to cover it up, everyone still knows the fact that I'm a huge flirt. It's one of my defining personality traits.
With quick, long strides, I reach the door of the academy. I pause when I leave the building and glare at the paper taped on the door. Thanks to my dyslexia I can't read a damn word on this notice!
"It says that the chosen male volunteer is Joseph Lapis, and that there is none for the females. That's it." I turn around and see the sweet face of Rarity. I smile and pick her up, walking towards the Square.
"Thank you. You know how much it embarrasses me that I can hardly read," I say with a laugh, and Rarity joins in. It's rare moments like these where we can both be alone together without being watched by our parents that I treasure the most. At least this won't be the last time, I think to myself, as the crowd of one-way foot traffic increases and the excitement of the Games become more and more tangible.
Joseph Lapis, 18
District One Male
I grin to myself as that one girl, Alex, confidently strides away. I never said the Games would be easy, but it's still obvious that I'm going to win. Anyway, if by competition she's referring to herself, then I should have just laughed in her face. She, competition? She always skips out on the endurance training; a girl with as little patience as her would definitely die in the Bloodbath. Of course, I'm not patient either but does that really matter? At least I do all I can to prepare for the Games.
I remember when I was four my Dad, Jasper Lapis, died in a train accident, and I became insecure. I began to do stupid things just to get attention, as I felt I wasn't appreciated enough. Well, those times are long gone. Ever since my mother enrolled me into training when I was 9 it was like I've found my second home. I loved it there, and in a matter of weeks I quit being depressed and became more determined than I ever had before. And then, four games ago my idol, Jewels, won his games… It made me become more determined than ever. I want to continue in his legacy, and now? Now that I'm 18 I finally have my chance and there's no way I'm going to blow it.
Whistling, I walk out the door and wait for my best friend, Peridott Luxe, to emerge from the changing room. He always takes forever to do anything! I smile when I see him come out the door, looking fresh as ever, and together we walk on to the Square.
"Seriously Joseph. Your sister is hot. Why do you have to be so protective of her, man?" He asks.
I shake my head, suddenly serious. "No. You know we're both best friends, but she's too good for you. Have you seen her? With those looks she could easily gain citizenship to the Capitol when I win." My sister, Meghan Anderson, is a beautiful mixed girl with gorgeous amber colored eyes. We both have an amazing relationship with each other, except for that one time when I chased a boy out of her room. What was he thinking when he sneaked inside? Continuing to shake my head, I only stop when I hear my friend's voice again.
"C'mon, you could at least let me speak to her." Seeing my look of disapproval he quickly changes his words. "I mean, that one girl you spoke to earlier? With those bright blue eyes and high cheekbones? You could have at least let me speak to her, instead of hogging all the sexy ones for yourself."
I laugh and turn to face him. "I'm sure you can do better than her. Why don't you try a little more?" With that we reach the check-in area, and while waiting in line I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Joseph? Good luck, and make sure to make a good first impression," I hear my mother, Valour Anderson, say softly into my ear, and I smile back at her. Ever since she enrolled me into Training we haven't been the closest, but we still have a great relationship with each other.
"Don't worry. I will," I say, rolling my eyes. The Peacekeeper sitting at the table under the tent gestures me over with a grunt that sounded remotely like a next, and after Peridott and I get our fingers pricked we both head off to our separate sections. After all, he's only 16.
After a few minutes the escort whose name I don't recall struts onto the stage with her huge stilettos and smiles warmly at the audience. "Welcome, District One, to the 150th Annual Hunger Games! As always, ladies first." She takes a slip out of the side of the bowl quickly and reads out the name on the paper. "Katrin-"
"I volunteer!" I hear a familiar high-pitched voice call out, and I watch as the girl I spoke to earlier dashes onto the stage with a confident smile. When she reaches the stage she grabs the microphone out of the escort's hand and puts it right up to her mouth. "My name is Alexandrite Danser, and I am your victor of the 6th quarter quell!"
Mrs. Mystery Escort smiles in approval. "Okay Panem, your District One female sure has a lot of spunk!" A few girls in the 18-year old section giggle and cheer as Alexandrite beams with pride. The escort walks towards the male bowl, slowly, and before she can even read out a name I step out into the aisle.
"I, Joseph Lapis, volunteer to be the victor of the 150th Hunger Games!" I feel the eyes of the crowd on me. I hate to say it, but I love it. I reach the stage and flash the escort a bright smile, causing her to blush.
"Okay, Alexandrite and… Joseph, please shake hands." Our eyes both meet, and they only convey one feeling. Hatred. We hardly know each other and we're already on bad terms? We give each other a terse handshake and once again face the audience. "Our two tributes from District One, Alexandrite Danser and Joseph Lapis!"
Peacekeepers come to haul us to the Justice Building. I watch as my district partner fights their grasp but to no avail. I sigh and grin once I'm released and left alone in my own room.
A minute later I hear a knock on the door and my mother, step-father, and sister enter. Meghan sees me and wraps her arms around me, sobbing. "Joseph… Come back. I don't know what I'd do if you don't live." I nod, suddenly uncomfortable, and give her a hug back.
"Why would I volunteer if I didn't know I was going to live?" I ask, but I still feel the tears on her cheeks. I look up to see Valour with a tight smile on her face.
"Meghan? He's right. He can do this, easily. Right, Orchard?" Orchard is my step-father, and he nods, giving me a pat on the back.
"Of course he can!" He says gruffly. Peacekeepers burst in to pull them out, but my family leave before the white-clad men can do anything to them.
Right as they leave Peridott comes bounding in with a sweaty face and messed up hair. "Whoa Peridott, what have you been doing ever since the Reaping?"
Peridott laughs. "Is that any of your business? Anyway, Lapis." He says with mock authority. "You will come back alive. If not…" He shrugs. Maybe he hadn't thought of anything yet. I lean forward and whisper in his ear.
"If I die… You can have my sister. Assuming you'll take her, of course." Peridott looks at me and then glances down.
"Well… I guess I don't want your sister much then." He says uncertainly, and lets the Peacekeepers drag him out of the room. One of the Peacekeepers stay in here and hands me a necklace.
"They didn't have a chance to give this to you. It's your token. Do what you want with it." I take it and open its clasp, smiling at the family portrait inside. I look up again to see the Peacekeeper is gone. I shrug and place the accessory in my back pocket, and spend the rest of my time adding finishing touches to my strategy.
Caroline Snow
President of Panem
"How are the Games going so far?" I ask Arianna as she looks down at her papers.
"Well… We're still only at the Reapings, ma'am. Or are you talking about the disclosure of information?" I tilt my head at her question, bringing the coffee cups to my lips.
"I would like to know about what you have told each District. Care to enlighten me?"
Arianna nods and stares at her papers once again. "So far we have only successfully reached Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5. There were unexpected problems in 4." I nod, quietly tapping my fingers on the mahogany desk in front of me. "One has been told about the jewels, Two about the gas, Three about the force fields and Five a little about the arena."
I look up and stop tapping on the table. "Five was told of the arena?" I ask sharply, causing Arianna to flinch.
"Um, well, they were only told that it was based off of a popular Pre-Panem story, and a few hints. Instability. If anything, One was awarded the best information as of yet." I snap my fingers and my personal Avox appears with another cup of coffee.
"Thank you Arianna. I am glad to hear that you have not failed me." She nods and stands up. I gesture her to leave and she happily complies, my Avox following her out the door. I drop the mug and sigh, picking up the shards of dried clay. Why did it always have to be my family to rule Panem? What if you just weren't up for the task? I shake my head and cut my finger on a broken piece, causing a slight pain to jolt through me. It's time to get past my insecurity and face reality. Father's dead, and you're in charge, Caroline, so step up your game. I smirk and stand up straight, looking out the window. Why have I ever had doubts? Panem is in great hands with me.
Sorry for that random Capitol POV I have at the end, I wanted to reveal some of the things I was thinking about for the Quell. I figured that instead of one big thing, like 4 people from each district being reaped to enter the Games I'll make a bunch of smaller things... And also, I wanted to reveal a little about Little Miss President here.
About my inactivity... I have no excuses, except for the fact that I'm a lazy bitch :D I do have a lame excuse that my writing was sounding like shit and sounding a bit like text speak, if you know what I'm talking about, and I didn't feel like reading it and doing anything with it... So I rewrote it. About 5 times. And it still sounds terrible... Why?
Drama is always nice, and I'm trying to begin some political ones too... Hopefully I won't give up on this, if I make a sequel it would be a good way to do it, with political drama.
7/12 Reapings complete, and motivation is currently at an all time high! I actually started to gain inspiration and will to write about a couple hours ago, which resulted in my final rewrite (which completely changed the District I was supposedly doing) and this mess on a A/N.
On Joseph's POV I kind of failed miserably in making everything seem natural, because I'm not a dude and I don't know how they're supposed to interact xD Oh well, I really need to stop complaining about everything.
Responses to some reviews:
david12341: True, how is it that I'm writing a Hunger Games fic and forget about writing blood? I'll definitely try to fix that in the future, because I've always found the lack of description in some stories strange haha.
heavydirtysoul: *smirk face*
Apollo's Slytherpuff Daughter: Nice name! I don't like those tributes much, either but I submit them pretty commonly... Ugh.
Questions:
1) Which tribute do you like better?
2) Who do you think stands a better chance?
3) Are you okay with cursing? I might have some characters curse later on and I just want to know if you'll be fine with it.
4) Grammatical/mechanics errors?
5) Out of the tributes that have been introduced, who do you see allying with who?
Last chapter I only had 5 reviews... I had more earlier, where did all my readers go? Did my time between updates scare you all away? I hope not because with my strange burst of motivation I'll probably update faster. If it's that there's something wrong with my writing please tell me. Also remember, that if you have a character submitted and you never review your character(s) will have a worse chance of survival... Yeah. Oh, and if you celebrate it, Happy Easter!