Delphine Monett, District Four Female (Age 17)
The water chilled my skin, but it was better described as cleansing than freezing. I already swam past the waves that broke near the shore and I was around a hundred yards out.
The sun shone from halfway between the horizon and the top of the sky and reflected off the glassy, blue ocean.
Off in the distance I saw fishing boats, faded in the pale morning mist. They'd stay out for a little while longer then come back for the Reapings.
The whole District was going to attend and I was this year's chosen volunteer. It was natural to be nervous but I never saw myself as the type of person who got nervous, so I came out here to relax.
Out here I didn't have to please anyone and I didn't have to avoid anyone. There was just me and probably some sharks.
Whenever I told anyone I loved to swim they were usually surprised. When I was eight and she was six, my little sister Beatrice was playing in the ocean when a riptide swept her away.
And just like that she was gone. Her story was told to warn kids not to swim too far out, but I didn't listen. I never listened.
It affected me differently. Beatrice was my best friend and I remembered the pure agony I felt when I lost her, so I vowed to never get truly close to anyone again.
Sure, I'd be nice to anyone who deserved it (or anyone who could help me) but it made me learn bonds were overrated.
I turned over and began to tread water. The salt made my skin smooth like a mermaid but made me feel hungry and dehydrated. I was ready to go home and bid my farewells.
I swam freestyle back to the coast and let a small wave carry me to the shore. I was one with the world and it was serene. Everything would be alright and whatever happened was meant to happen.
Warf Pollman, District Four Male (Age 16)
I narrowed my eyes, focused on the target and got ready to throw my spear. This would make Opal beg for me. I smirked at the thought, thrust my arm forwards, and let the weapon fly.
The arrowhead embedded itself into the center of the bullseye.
I turned around. I expected to see Opal with her jaw dropped, desperate to hook up with me.
She was still sword-fighting with a trainer. She didn't even look my way.
Dammit.
I'd been with a ton of other girls before, but Opal was the real deal. Five foot eight, a badass fighter, and hot as hell.
Practically everyone considered her one of the prettiest girls in the District, so if I got her, my brothers would finally know I was much better with the ladies than they could dream of being.
They were all eighteen and nineteen (my dad got around) and thought they were so much cooler. I'd show them.
Besides, I was way hotter than any of them. No homo but if I were gay I would totally fuck me.
And even if that wasn't enough, I was gonna volunteer today. Then I would win and kick ass and all the girls would forget my idiot brothers exist. The end.
I scowled and picked up another spear. This one was longer, with a razor-sharp point that could probably impale like, five people all lined up. I almost heard it calling my name.
I lifted it higher and called, "Opal!"
Maybe now the bitch would pay attention to me.
She told her trainer to pause and turned towards me, giving me a sick view of her cleavage.
"What do you want?"
Without saying a word, I smirked and tossed the weapon all the way across the room. The target was at least twelve yards away.
The point hit the bu- the edge?!
Fuck!
I was so distracted I didn't even get the bullseye with a weapon I've been using since I was six! Just my goddamn luck. Now I was humiliated in front of the girl of my dreams.
Opal burst into laughter. "What the Hell, you made me stop my fight for that?"
Even her trainer let out a chuckle and I felt my face turn red. This wasn't how it was supposed to go! I was supposed to impress her!
Of course that was the only time I've missed lately.
I forced a smile.
"That was just a shitty spear. And you know I'm hot, you don't have to play hard to get."
Her eyes lit up. "You're so funny!" Her voice was simpering and sarcastic and made my blood boil.
"Whatever, bitch." I muttered, balling my fists. Jesus Christ, she wasn't even worth a shot.
She rolled her eyes and flipped her hair. "Win the Hunger Games, maybe then I'll put up with you."
My eyes lit up. "The Hunger Games?"
"You heard me." She turned around and apologized to her trainer.
My head whirred. Now I had two reasons to volunteer.
And when I won, Opal would be into me?
It was official. I would be the next Victor.
Delphine Monett, District Four Female (Age 17)
I fidgeted in my uncomfortable shoes. They were tight and compressed my toes like a tiny net compresses a big fish and it hurt. I preferred to go barefoot by far.
Our escort, Rouvin Bacchus, already stood on stage. His skin was dyed seafoam green and his hair resembled a cloud- white and fluffy.
Four's three Victors sat by him. Every year, I was wonderstruck to see them in person.
Marvin claimed the crown of one of the first Games, I believe. He was brilliant with traps and knives, which gave him an advantage in an arena full of small, confused, inexperienced kids.
He earned a training score of eight, which was remarkable without training.
I've caught a few glimpses of him in the facility, usually guiding the scared eight-year-olds and easing their minds.
I was alive during Poseidon's Games but too young to remember. From the tapes I watched I knew he irked me.
He acted like a dumb prick during his interviews. Every good Career knows you have to at least pretend to be likable and smart. Sponsors hate an idiot.
But it worked for him. You know, if my partner was like that I'd probably jump off the platform before the Games and blow myself up.
And of course, Mags. She won the eleventh Games. I watched her on TV when I was seven and knew I wanted to win. I wanted to be like her. I still do.
She only stood at 5'0", but made up for it with her deadly spear skills and perfect fishing. Her arena was a freshwater lake with only a few small islands scattered around.
Half a dozen tributes simply drowned. Another half dozen starved since there was no source of food besides the creatures in the water.
Luckily, Mags was a born fisher and outlived the rest. However, the Capitol considered her Victory anticlimactic. I found that outrageous, she was brilliant. Actual tributes only caused around three or four deaths that involved blood and I believe most gamblers thought she would place around eighth.
Still, she made it and I remember being so, so proud.
It was a sunny, warm day and the breeze ruffled my dress. The square was right by the ocean and, for the luxury of the rich citizens, had the prettiest view.
The ocean glimmered blue and the shore was the color of lemons and vanilla. Mansions surrounded by seagrass lined the coast.
The floor of the square was an elaborate mosaic of shells, marble, and seaglass, but it was near impossible to admire with the huge crowd. Reaping day marked the most crowded time of year by far, so if it wasn't for today I doubt there would even be a square. Or maybe it would be half the size.
"Hello, welcome! Welcome!" Rouvin flashed a smile and the District erupted in cheers. I bounced on the balls of my feet. Oh my God, this was it. It didn't feel that way but this was the day I'd prepared for since I was little. My skin tingled.
I tried to keep a cool demeanor. The other girls were watching me and judging me. I didn't really talk to them so they didn't really know me. I had to look good so they'd sponsor me.
"Today is the day of District Four's Reapings for the Twentieth Annual Hunger Games!" He announced, his voice booming throughout the square and echoing off the far walls. "And we will select two tributes to represent us."
The crowd, especially the older kids, went wild. I shook all over.
"Now, let's cut to the chase, shall we?" He smiled again. I didn't mind Rouvin as much as most Capitolites. He was efficient and not overly dramatic.
Or maybe he just decided to make it quick because the teenage boys tended to get a bit too rowdy. Anyway!
"The girl representing District Four will be," He reached into the bowl, and chose a slip and unfolded it and I couldn't contain my energy any longer.
"Az-"
"I VOLUNTEER!" I yelled. I shoved my way through the other girls and dashed to the podium even with my painful shoes.
It was official. I was going into the arena.
I realistically wouldn't win, but I had better odds than some randomly-selected girl. Besides, I'll spare her life just like I should've spared Beatrice's.
Warf Pollman, District Four Male (Age 16)
Fuck, this chick was hot! Sure, she was no Opal, but damn she made me glad to be a tribute!
Maybe she could hold me over until I won. Tributes had affairs all the time, it was nothing new. She'd take one look at me and go crazy.
"Amazing, a volunteer!" We all knew he was pretending to be shocked. Our last Reaped tribute was in like, the negative three hundredth Games.
"What is your name, darling?"
Her face was neutral but she was practically bouncing. She gripped the microphone and announced, "Delphine Monett."
Her voice was hot.
"Lovely. You look lovely." Rouvin grinned and she moved to his side. "Now, who will be our boy?"
He strode to the boys' bowl and I felt like I was glowing. It was my time to shine. I'd have to be ready to catch the bras girls threw at me.
"N-"
"I VOLUNTEER!" I shouted and ran to the podium. I pumped my arms, giving everyone a view of my great muscles.
I took a deep breath and looked out at the audience. They seemed pretty pumped.
And Delphine was even hotter up close!
"Another volunteer! My, my, we have some determined young people, don't we?"
I smirked. "We sure do. My name is Warf Pollman. You can call me your next Victor." Classic thing to say, but it always snagged sponsors.
"Amazing! We'll bet on you." Rouvin nodded.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you District Four's two tributes: Warf Pollman and Delphine Monett!"
She smiled at the crowd but gave me a blink-and-you'll-miss-it glare. Why? Evil bitch.
Still, I winked at her. She grabbed my hand and shook it. Of course, the crowd cheered loud enough to be heard from space.
As soon as Rouvin looked away she whispered, "You're not going to last a minute."
My heart rate went up and I felt my blood rushing. Dammit, why did hot girls never take me seriously?
You know what? Fuck her.
She won't be so pretty when she's bloody and tired and half-dead in the arena.
AN: Thanks for reading! I died inside writing Warf! (It was actually kinda fun?) Take a shot every time he calls a girl hot. Or a bitch. Anyways, thank you for submitting these two and we have only two Reapings to go! I'm so so excited to write this story. I'm updating from school and it blocks so I had to counter-block their block. The things I do for you guys. Follow, favorite, and review!
What did you think of Delphine and Warf?
How long do you expect them to last?