Well, I'm back with part 2 of 'Just My Luck' and it's time for the District 9 Reapings; I'm so glad that people are filling in the poll and I'm quite shocked at how many people want Ruby dead in the bloodbath… I mean, I'm listening to your thoughts and will more than likely act on it but I don't think I'll be killing Ruby in the bloodbath…Sorry! Now on the show, continue filling in the poll…and reviewing and all that jazz!
Fiona 'Finn' Harkin, District 9.
I stare at myself long and hard in the mirror, I could be called pretty and if it weren't for my damned leg I'd be able to have boyfriends; I don't know why I bother seeing as no one will ever find me attractive due to my crippled leg and I feel my eyes begin to tear up; No, I am not weak enough to cry: I am strong, independent and whether or not I have a bad leg I will ensure that my pseudo confidence continues to shine. I'm pretty tall, last time mom measured me I was 5'6'' and then I have waist length hair which is a really strange bronze colour; although I like to think it's ginger seeing as God cursed me with this leg, he may as well condemned me to life as a ginger. I am rather pale for district 9 seeing as I can't work out in the fields, harvesting grain so I spend a lot of my time in doors and consequently not in the sun but I've got a decent build with nicely developed curves and then I have pretty blue eyes. The only reason I'm even bothering with this whole dressing up is because of the reaping; we're expected to appear as presentable and however much I think the Hunger Games are a waste of time I'm smart enough to know not to contradict the expectations of the Capitol; it could get you killed, or worse.
I'm wearing a nice yellow blouse and a midnight blue pleated skirt; it's casual but pretty and I look like I could just be going out to meet with friends but that isn't the case, first of all I don't have any friends unless you count Brianne; and with her being my sister she is biologically programmed to like me so it's moot point, although I doubt I'm in her good graces at the moment seeing as I snitched on her to mom. Secondly, the event that I've dressed up for is a potential call to my death; but being the Capitol they find a way to make it glamorous because death is the most glamorous thing isn't it? I brush my hair a few times to try and get out the knots because I think that it resembles a birds nest at the moment.
'Finn, it's time hurry up!' I hear my sister call, how inconsiderate of her; when your leg is a mangled mess like mine you find it pretty hard to hurry so as I make my slow descent downstairs I'm huffing and puffing while glaring at Brianne for her insensitivity; I mean it isn't much to ask for is it? A little bit of consideration but no, I don't even get that; honestly, sometimes I hate my stupid life. As I get to the foot of the stairs my family is waiting for me: Mom, Dad and Brianne; I purposefully give Dad a hug but ignore mom and Brianne because they've irked me off today and well I haven't seen Dad since the previous evening since he has been up since before dawn working in the fields.
'Oh FiFi, how're you today?' My dads blue eyes look into mine, see; one person in my family is considerate and not always breathing down my neck about being moody or 'holding myself back'; he knows that my life sucks and that is why he, and he alone, is allowed to call me Fifi even though I detest the pet name with a burning passion. It's so childish but I'm one of daddy's little girls so I let him off.
'I'm good daddy, but my leg has been playing up and it's just making everything so hard.' My dad frowns at my response, he really sympathises with me and knows that my leg is the cause of most things that go wrong in my life and well I don't know what I'd do without him because everyone else in the house is always so eager to chew me out for being selfish, petulant or just whiny but they don't understand so I don't appreciate their commentary on my behaviour. Dad looks nervous, why is he looking nervous?
'Now Fiona, I understand that the condition of your leg will cause you a bit of trouble I think your being a bit over dramatic; me and your mother have been talking and we think that maybe you should try and be more positive, you talk about your legging constantly holding you back but I think that your holding yourself back now. You're your own worst enemy darling' What? How dare he, him and mom conspiring against me; I love these people, they're my family but they always gang up on me and if that isn't enough on top of everything else that seems to go wrong in my life; It's unfair and I'm pretty pissed off and feel more than a little betrayed. This day is going from bad to worse: I've always said I had the worst possible luck.
'How dare you, none of you understand what it's like at all; so don't try and patronize me, live a day in my shoes and then tell me that I'm my own worst enemy. You'd be singing a different tune if it were you who was the crippled mess; I'm going now and I don't want to see any of you until later.' I storm, well I hobble away fiercely and make sure to slam the door as hard as I possibly can so that they realise I really am peeved at them and how they try to interfere all the time. I hobble away furiously and I realise that I may have over reacted just a tiny bit but I just feel like the outcast in a family of healthy and physically able people; plus I'm a teenager which means I'm more than entitled to the random fit of teenage angst, don't blame me blame my hormones. If my family want me to look on the bright side so bloody much well, I suppose I could say this day can't possible get any worse.
Aezir Marston, District 9.
Even though I was let off work early I'm still running a bit late; I was bathing my hands in a concoction of lavender and eucalyptus that my step mother Daysha had concocted when my step sister Arla bursts into the room on the brink of hysteria, she had a nightmare that she had been reaped and no matter how much any of us tried we couldn't console her at all. I had to hastily get into my reaping clothes of a pair of denim trousers and green button up shirt; and you can most likely tell I was rushing, I didn't have time to make myself look as 'presentable' as the Capitol expect but that doesn't mean much really does it: They don't care as long as they have 24 tributes willing to rip one another's throats out at the drop of a hat, or more specifically the ring of a gong. I don't blame Arla for being scared, when I was 13 I was just as petrified; plagued by horrific nightmares where I was killed a multitude of times at the Cornucopia and that is why I decided to train myself as thoroughly as possible for here in District 9. If fate places me in the Hunger Games then I intend to win; I won't give up and I'll make sure my family is proud, I remember Daysha's final words to me before me and Arla departed for the reaping: 'If one of you is picked don't let them see how scared you are; I can only ask you do your best and whatever happens me and your father will be proud. Now off you go, I don't want you two being late; I'll be down at the square as soon as your father is ready.' Daysha may not be my birth mother and hearing her kind words lifts Arla's spirit somewhat and infuses me with confidence. Whatever will be, will be.
We get to the Justice Building in the nick of time; we hastily sign in and head towards our designated areas although she seems reluctant to leave me I turn and pull her into a hug; we may not be siblings by blood but we're as close as any biological siblings, maybe even closer seeing as we're not biologically programmed to like one another.
'Arla, do not show anybody your scared, if you're called be strong. No one can expect any more from you. Do you understand?' She nods her understanding and gives me a quick hug before marching towards the section designated for 13 year old females with her shoulders back and head held high: I'm so proud I forget where I am before rushing up to meet my friends. Mikki, Luka and Darmin are already here and by the way they're looking round I assume they are looking for me.
'Surprise, boys!' I whisper in Mikki's here and he jumps about 5 foot in the air whereas Luka squeals like a little girl and Darmin throws his hand to his chest as though he is about to have a coronary; they might like to make themselves seem as though they are tough and manly I know better, but hey the little wimps are my friends and I'm pretty much brave enough for everyone but I have to laugh at their reactions; it is most possibly the funniest thing I'd seen all day and in no time we've got the banter going.
'You almost gave me a heart attack you idiot'
'I'm going to give you one hell of a beating'
'Make sure to sleep with one eye open mister 'cause I am coming for you'
'What you going to do?' We're just joking around having a good time, I mean laughter is pretty rare in Panem so when you get it you try to prolong it for as long as possible but obviously we've been holding on far too long because Luka is pushed by a Peacekeeper who's appeared from nowhere: It's a warning, shut up or face the consequences later. From then on we maintain a respectful silence as the events of the reaping ceremony unfold. Mayor Maizely performs the 'Treaty of Treason', for the Capitol's benefit of course: any child of reaping age throughout the district's knows that darn document word for word: It is our potential death warrant. Then we move onto the worst part, the selection of the tributes; Hortensia Vinnel slithers onto the stage like the viper we all know her to be; she sneers at the audience and I make sure to sneer right back whether or not she can see me: I mean what gives her the right to look down on us when she is the one who is dyed the most horrid shade of green with silver hair; I mean she looks like a walking pile of mucus.
'Well, I'd say I'm glad to be back in District 9…' And there she goes, every year with the snide remarks; I don't believe in hitting a woman but I can tell that this particular specimen is in dire need of either a good slap or a stern talking to and however crude it sounds I'd be happy to be the one who does it.
'Anyway, on with the reaping: The female tribute is Fiona Harkin' Unfamiliar name, which is good in the one sense that it isn't Arla and I breath a quick sigh of relief. I mean I pity this girl whoever she may be but in all honesty I don't genuinely care: I'd rather see her die whoever she is than someone I actually know or care about. I know it may sound harsh but this is the Hunger Games and they take harsh to a whole new extreme. Why is she taking so long? Don't tell me she tried to do a runner, I mean try and have some dignity if your about to die at least. She emerges from the crowd, tears streaming down her face, biting her thin lips and her fists balled at her sides; at first I would say she has a better chance than most other tributes seeing as she seems well built but then I notice her leg: A cripple, however cruel it sounds this girl is guaranteed death; Cripples don't last long in the games, it is an unspoken truth which is universally acknowledged. Farewell, Miss Harkin. The girl is standing on stage, trying to look fierce and determined with her brow all puckered but it just won't work; everyone will see that leg of hers and automatically know that she is a weak link.
'Well… the show must go on as they say, the male tribute for district 9 this year is: Aezir Marston' Shit! I kind of expected it might happen one day but I didn't think it would be today; oh well, I've ensured to have prepared myself for this to the best of my abilities and if any of the other tributes seem as useless as my district partner; well maybe I do stand a chance. I stand as tall as my 5'8'' frame allows and roll my neck while flexing my biceps: every tribute will know that I'm not a push over, I walk onstage briskly and glare into the cameras; my face is expressionless: No one can see the anxiety which is causing my gut to twist. I remember the advice Daysha gave me this morning as I shake the girls hand; she tries to smile but I just scowl: she'd be a useless ally that leg of hers would hold her back and if I were allied with her; it would hold me back too.
Fiona 'Finn' Harkin, District 9.
I cannot act scared, I need to be strong; I cannot lose hope. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm going to die and there is absolutely nothing I can do; I thought my day couldn't get any worse and then look what happened: I got reaped, just my bloody luck isn't it? Send the girl with the crippled leg, honestly: shouldn't disability make me exempt or something? Because the Capitol wants a good show and with this leg I can't give them that at all: The only spectacle I'll be providing is getting slaughtered, most likely by some bloodthirsty career; isn't that just bloody great? I can't even remember saying goodbye to my family; well I remember inklings but I think I went into shock and well it's pretty hard to listen to people when you feel as though your chest is about to explode; but I can guess the kind of stuff they said: 'Don't let your leg hold you back' 'Don't be your own worst enemy' I mean all I wanted was some comfort and hugs and everything: That is not too much to ask for really considering that I'm off to be killed but no they're trying to fill me with bloody hope: I can't win, it's impossible and hope is only useful if you have some conceivable chance of success which I really don't. Well, maybe when I die they will realise that I've always been right when I said that my leg was literally the cause of everything that's ever gone wrong in my life; literally it will be the death of me.
My district partner though is kind of freaking me out; well, he is glaring at me and I am more than a bit scared. I mean he has got some weird aura around him, this boy could kill me pretty easily but I'm not giving him the satisfaction of seeing me scared: I'll be sure to throw him challenging glares and sneers; the way he's been staring me down, I know he doesn't want to be allies so there is nothing to be gained from befriending the boy. If we were at home, I'd say he was handsome and if I didn't have my bum leg I'd probably flirt with him: with his dusky skin and those brown eyes which I imagine could fill with warmth but now they are cold and empty: this boy is ready to kill, and without even blinking he could kill in an instant; it's like he is not human at all and that's what scares me: He is a tribute, prepared to kill and it is more than likely that this boy will be the one to kill me.
'So, how are you feeling?' Okay, maybe I shouldn't have spoken but his reaction surprises me the most; he laughs mirthless laughter and looks at me as if I should institutionalised where he is the one who's projecting some emotionless abyss which is literally filling the whole room. What a complete weirdo, I retract my earlier sentiment that he was handsome because this boy is clearly unstable.
'I'm feeling right as rain, but don't try and butter me up. I won't protect you and there's no chance of us forming an alliance; and in all honesty no one would ally with you. Enjoy death.' Oh my goodness, how snarky? I hobble to my feet and slap him in the face; yes, he could kill me now but right now I'm so angry that I could kick his ass even if I had no legs. I stare into his eyes and he looks shocked: what did he expect? Me to be some pitiful cripple who'd listen to him spouting shit; well this boy needs a reality check because he's got something else coming. I never said I would die without taking down as many other tributes as possible with me, I only said my death was guaranteed and with the mood I'm in Aezir will be one of those that come crashing down with me.
'Right, whatever your name is, don't try me with your smart ass attitude and I'd rather ally with a tracker jacker than you and if our mentors show up tell them I've retired and I'll be back for dinner got it? Or do I need to slap a bit more sense into that fat head of yours?' I hobble out the room, riding high on the adrenaline rush: some jackass trying to intimidate me.
WHOOOP! Reapings over, and I'm putting them in chronological order; Haha… onto the Pre-Games and everything.
REVIEW and vote in my poll.
Muchos Love,
Lawrence xxxx