Welcome back to anyone who submitted before and just welcome to anyone who is trying my story for the first time. We Live As We Die is a submit story, but I'm going to start with a short chapter to introduce you to our victors from the last two stories and so you can get a sample of my writing style. The following takes place at the Victory Tour's party at the Capitol.
…
District 2 Victor Season Vitale's POV
The 76th Hunger Games ruined everything.
I find that after six months of mistakes, that was the most logical excuse to give. But now, standing in a room full of people who want to know you're everything, I find that my perfect excuse isn't so perfect after all.
The Capitol didn't want to hear you problems, they wanted to hear your success. In the last six months, I have had nothing successful to report. Though, I should count myself lucky that this isn't my own Capitol Victory Tour party. I am only sought after if Knox and Bella were too busy. Still, people want to talk to someone victorious. If only they knew we weren't so great.
A waitress passes by with a try of brightly colored cocktails and I grab the first one my hand finds. I drown it down the minute the glass rim hit my mouth and reach for another.
Sip.
The 76th Hunger Games ruined my marriage.
Sip.
The 76th Hunger Games ruined my relationships.
Sip.
The 76th Hunger Games ruined my family.
Sip.
The 76th Hunger Games ruined my sanity.
I let the empty glass tumble to the floor and I watch it go down. It is almost like it is in slow motion. That describes my life perfectly. However, no matter how slow the glass goes down, it does not affect how hard it hits the ground.
Crash.
The 76th Hunger Games ruined my life.
District 12 Victor Storm Loret's POV
In a room where everyone knows my name, how can I feel so alone? Everyone wants to talk to me, get to know me. Still, there is a hole where my caring for people used to be. I don't know when I lost this, but I feel like it hasn't been there in awhile.
I hate Capitol parties, even ones held in the beautiful mansion of President Snow. I hate the fakeness, the dream-like state it puts you in. I can always feel the bubbly, drunken air suffocating me. The sounds are too high or too low for my ears to comprehend. I hate every minute of it.
"Drink, sir," a high-pitched voice asks from behind me. I turn to see a semi-attractive waitress around my age balancing a tray of drinks. By the way her eyes are looking at me up and down and the way her smile never leaves her face, I can tell she knows who I am.
"Whatever," I mutter, taking a drink from the tray and having a slow sip. The girl smiles a bit wider and places the tray on a nearby table. I note that within a few seconds, the tray in empty.
"So, what is it like being a Hunger Games victor?" I hate the question, especially the way she asks it, with no care for what I had to do to win. People always ask me and I never give them a straight answer. What is it like? It sucks. But of course, you can't tell a bunch of drunken Capitol people that without causing uproar. I'm sure I would be dead by morning anyway.
I have patience for Capitol women. I would usually give more respectable answer to the higher class ones, but she is nothing more than a waitress. "What do you think it's like?"
The girl's expression goes cold and she immediately snaps up her tray. "I have to go work." She knows better than to insult one the major guests. She begins to walk away, but she stops suddenly. "Enjoy your mimosa."
I choke on the sip I had just taken. I observe the drink to see it was in fact a mimosa. Sometimes, I just don't notice. I place the drink on the table and force down the sip I had nearly choked on.
I hadn't thought or heard that name in a long time. I tried to block out painful memories. I find it is the only way to live. Sometimes, at night, I can still picture her face and hear her voice, but those are just fleeting memories. Hearing her name brings back a whole flood of constrained moments.
Life after the Games was made to be easy, not hard. One would assume you just live a life of comfort until you die of a natural cause. One would be thinking wrong. My life is not comfortable in the slightest. I hear of victors "disappearing" everyday. The victor life is not the charmed life.
No matter how much you try, you just can't admit it is living hell.
District 5 Victor Knox Overstreet's POV
"Knox Overstreet, President Snow requests your presence." I nearly drop the plate of food I am holding when I hear that. I turn to see to large, nicely dressed men behind me. Each one was at least five inches taller than me and weighed a whole lot more.
"Okay," I say, too scared to say anything else. I quickly place my plate of food down and follow the two men out of the large ball room and into a much smaller, private study. President Snow was standing behind a large, expensive looking desk that takes up most of the room.
"Hello Knox. Gentlemen, you may wait outside." Just like that, the door is slammed shut and it is just me and the President. "It is nice to see you Knox."
"And you sir," I say, giving a small bow of my head. I stand in my spot, waiting for him to say something, anything.
"I'm sure you are wondering why you are here," President Snow says, a smile slowly spreading on his face. The smile reminded me of someone else's smile. It had the same deceptive quality.
"That's right, Mr. President," I say awkwardly. I know how I must look, pale and wide-eyed. I always had trouble masking my fear, unlike someone…
"Please, call me Snow. I have a proposition for you," Snow says, the smile growing like her's used to do. It is now I notice how much the room smelled of blood and roses. It was enough to make a person faint.
"What would this proposition be, Snow?" I ask while attempting to breathe only through my mouth. I could not faint in Snow's office.
"You have generated quite a lot of talk after you one your Games, especially from women here. Many people refer to you as the boy who killed his girlfriend." I had heard people talk about that, sometimes to me, other times not. I hear it has become legendary already. I can't bring myself to be proud.
"I have heard that," I comment when I notice Snow hasn't said anything in awhile. Snow nods at me before continuing.
"Since you have become so…desirable, I was thinking it was time to take the next step. How old are you, Knox?" Snow asks.
"Eighteen," I say uneasily. I don't know why, but I feel that whatever Snow is planning, it won't be very good for me.
"Good," Snow says with a nod. "I was thinking the Capitol girls would be interested in a…night with you. This will bring money for the Capitol and popularity for you. Do you see what I mean?"
It takes me a minute to wrap my head around it. "You want me to sleep with random Capitol women for money that goes to the Capitol?"
"Precisely," Snow says. "Of course, you gain things too. The women will give you many gifts and this will only make you popularity grow. What do you think?"
"And what if I refuse?" I ask. I sound a bit colder than I meant to be, but this was unbelievable. President Snow expects me to sleep with a bunch of women just so the Capitol could get money. I thought my life was as horrible as it was going to get. Looks like I am wrong.
"Tell me, do you have family and friends Knox?" He doesn't have to say more. I get what he means. If I don't do it, he will kill off my family one by one. I am not going to risk their lives.
"I'll do it," I tell Snow, but my gaze is cold. I don't bother waiting for the smile to grow or the stench of roses and blood to strength. I just turn around to leave.
"The boy who killed his girlfriend, what a great name you've made for yourself. What was her name again? Oh yes, L…"
I slam the door close before he could finish her name.
Somehow I make it back to the ball room without any trouble. I assumed that slamming the door on the President would not blow over well. Now, I am just standing around waiting for the cue to leave. I must have already drunken three different cocktails and now I have moved on to champagne.
People have stopped seeking me out after I screamed at this man asking me about her. He almost said her name. Now, people just give me looks of confusion. I have also seen a few disgusted glances. I am the one watching them though.
One group had continually attracted my attention. It is a group of boys, most around my age. They must be children of rich Capitol citizens. Each has different tattoos, alterations, hair, and everything else you could think of. Something about them thought seemed so much realer than anyone else here.
They seem to have taken notice to me as well. One boy, who must be the leader, approaches me followed by the rest of the group. The boy has black slashes tattooed across his face and red hair that could poke someone's eyes out.
"You're that victor who killed his girlfriend." I hated people calling me that, but there is something refreshing about someone just boldly saying it to my face.
"I am," I say, swallowing the rest of my champagne. The boys seem to take kindly to this and they all begin to smile.
"We're going to the Underground City, you know the place where Capitol kids gamble and get wasted, want to come?"
If this had happened a year and a half ago, I would have feared these kids. But now, they fear me. I have killed and the worst any of them have done is rob a store. They wanted me with them to seem cool. Sure, they were just using me like the rest of the Capitol, but they were young and reckless, which is what I need.
I grab one last drink and chug it down. "Sure, what the hell. I have nothing to lose anyway."
District 3 Victor Bella Cauthen's POV
I watch Knox leave with the group of Capitol boys. I see the boys hanging on to every word he says like he is some god. He might as well be here. Is this your escape, Knox? Having a bunch of people follow you and for what?
I take another bite of my soup before realizing it has become tasteless. I absent-mindedly put it back on the soup table and glance around the room. I spot Season Vitale staring at a broken glass on the floor. I have seen her drinking all night. I find another spot in the room and see Storm Loret staring into space. As I glance around, I see many victors all looking lost and confused. I guess it is not only me and Knox. We are just the newest of the bunch.
"Hi." The voice was bright, symbolizing Capitol. It was a feminine voice, maybe a girl my age. I turn to see I am correct. A very District looking girl is behind me. Without the dress and make-up, she would look more District than me. She had straight brown hair with little amounts of streaks. Her eyes are brown with rims of blue around them. She is extremely thin, even for Capitol. After close examination, I don't see any alterations.
"Hello," I say somewhat awkwardly. I still don't like Capitol, even if they are normal looking like her.
"I'm Jazz McNeely and I know you are Bella Cauthen," the girl says, extending her hand. I shake it quickly and drop it back down. "I really wanted to meet you."
I nod along, not knowing what to say. I try to look around for anyone else to talk to. I don't feel like relating to a Capitol girl. "I know you must feel awkward," Jazz says. "Sorry, I just have to ask you a question."
"What?" I was sick of questions, but I am forced to answer anyway.
"How do you get through all of us? Capitol citizens coming up to you asking you how it feels, oblivious to what you had to do?"
My jaw would drop if I knew I could do it. But I had to remain cool for everyone else. Jazz's straightforwardness was very shocking. I don't know anyone who would ever ask that. "It is horrible."
"I thought so," Jazz says with a thoughtful nod. She seems to go deep into thought. I don't bother drawing her back out. I am still so shocked by her answer.
"Jazz, we're going!" a younger girl screams at Jazz. The girl has already gotten her hair dyed purple. She did look like Jazz though. I assume it is her sister.
"I have to go," Jazz tells me. "Good luck with everything."
"I'll see you around," I call. I don't know if I will, but I hope I do. She is so refreshingly normal.
"It might be sooner than you think," Jazz yells back before following the little girl. Maybe she isn't completely normal. This is the Capitol.
…
I would look out for Jazz too.
Now, on to what you have been waiting for, the submitting. However, before you submit, please read this list of requirements. I know it may seem like I'm being picky, but if you really want to be in a story that will finish, I would follow them.
Emma's Tribute Guidelines:
First and for most, tributes are preferred by PM. Just review with what District you are taking and your tributes gender. You may submit two, but if one is a girl, the other must be a boy. Also, please use my form.
Name: First and Last people. Make it Panem like as well. If I feel your name is too normal, I will message you with suggestions.
District: This is partially first come first serve. If you submit a tribute to a District no one else submits to, you have a better chance of getting that spot. If you are among the fifty tributes up for District 1 girl, I will have to pick the best suited tribute.
Personality: Don't go with the same old tom-boy girl or blood-thirsty boy. Make your tribute pop. The minimum is two lines, three is better.
Appearance: I want nothing too over the top. Also two lines here as well or more. You must also add two physical imperfections.
Background: The same two or more lines. Please don't be over dramatic. I can take a parent or sibling death, but no orphan kids or kids with completely scarred backgrounds.
Strengths and Weaknesses: I want at least three strengths and five weaknesses. I want more weaknesses so your tribute can be more believable.
Weapon: If your tribute is not a Career or doesn't have a good reason, don't give them a weapon they can do well. I will not have them go in with no weapon abilities, but they shouldn't know a weapon automatically.
That is all. Try to meet most of the requirements, but I will not throw out your character if you forget one or two. If you completely ignore them, that is when I will not consider your tribute. Here is the form:
Name:
Age:
District:
Gender:
Personality:
Background:
Friends/Family:
Appearance:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Weapons:
*District Token:
*Reaping Outfit:
*Chariot Outfit:
*Interview Outfit:
Quote for the interview:
Interview Angle:
Mentor:
Stylist:
Alliances:
Career?:
Relationships:
*Other:
I wish you good luck. The list will be posted when I get all my tributes here. There will also be a forum where you can check out all the other characters and chat about the Games. The list will be on the forum first. Peace, Love, Carpe Diem, and All That Jazz.
-Emma