Tiger Ultraviolet, 13
Victor of the One Hundred and Twenty Seventh Annual Hunger Games
Tiger boards the train headed to the Capitol for the first time ever since his name was plucked out of a glass bowl and read aloud to the entirety of District One.
His fingers twitch as he lays a hand on the door, it automatically lighting up and sliding open. The dining car is exactly how he remembers it. The very same fancy tiny cakes sit on silver platters with striking patterns, the sweets covered by a circular glass cage to keep them for becoming stale. The table is the center is a swirled marble covered by a royal blue tablecloth, draped over perfectly so that both sides are even. In the back, a cart with honey and amber colored liquids that Tiger could only assume were alcohol, laid seemingly out of reach. Tiger didn't know where his escort Bishop was, but he knew that he would make a mad dash as soon as he entered the train.
The car was empty besides Tiger. Fastina didn't need to go and therefore she didn't want to go. Luster isn't a mentor anymore now that Tiger has claimed victory. Bishop would probably be making an entrance soon as well as Tigers stylists who had some strange names that he couldn't remember.
Despite the smell of sweet treats and the warm atmosphere of the train car, Tiger Ultraviolet could only feel fucking disgusted.
Fucking, fucking, fucking disgusted.
He was disgusted at the memory of him and his former district partner, a tall, muscular girl who Tiger can barely remember, sitting on the couch as Luster and Fastina drank their champagne and slurred their words as they half-heartedly tried to prepare them for their deaths.
He was disgusted with Bishop, who sat in the corner with a faux smile plastered onto his ghostly white face.
He was disgusted with the others in his alliance, who during the Feast, turned on each other which only ended in death for all of them. He knows you're not supposed to speak ill of the dead, but no one was inspecting his brain, trying to pick and poke at his every thought.
He was disgusted with the Capitol citizens who just sat back in their luxurious homes, laughing and cheering and betting on which teenager will make it out alive.
Tiger Ultraviolet only has one setting right now: pissed the fuck off.
His eyes dart to the opening door to the train car. In steps Bishop, a simple black suit adorned on his body. The dark velvet had golden swirls painted on and his face was so full of makeup that he barely looked human.
"Ah, there he is! My victor!" he squeals out, darting over to Tiger. He is careful not to scuff his shiny black and gold shoes against the floor of the train car as he pulls Tiger in for a giant hug. Tiger likes to think its because Bishop actually cares about him, but in reality, he knows that he's just a way for his escort to get ahead in his career.
"Hello, Bishop," Tiger says quickly. "Good to see you again."
"Yes, yes, yes, it's been far too long, my dear." Behind Bishop stands two identical figures, both with the same curly brown locks and peachy skin. "This is Silvarus and Scaurus. They will be your stylists for tonight's Presidential Ball. I don't know if you can tell but they're twins!" Bishop lets out the fakest laugh Tiger thinks he's ever heard in his life. Silvarus and Scaurus chuckle a little but it's clearly just so that Bishop wasn't chortling alone.
The event that Tiger had been the least looking forward to. Not only because now he's stuck with Bishop instead of the rest of the Victory tour where he was on a different train with Fastina and Luster, but now he must confront the people that tried to kill him.
...
Silvarus and Scaurus lead Tiger to a back room of the train car where they proceed to strip off all his clothes. At this point, Tiger doesn't mind people seeing his bare body anymore. When it comes to appearances in the Capitol, he's learned to let the stylists do their magic and trust that it'll work. It got Tiger sponsors and may have saved his life, so he's not complaining.
"I'm sorry about your situation," the one on the right that Tiger thinks is Silvarus says. The statement catches the Victor off guard. No one, especially no one from the Capitol has said that to him before.
Silvarus lifts Tiger from off the table and onto his feet. Both of the twins tower over Tiger, a good two heads taller than him.
"Oh, thanks," Tiger replies, staring at the ceiling from the top of the bed. Scaurus leans over him and places wax strips over his body. The moments of pain are fleeting as he pries the white pieces of paper off his skin but Tiger kind of enjoys it.
"If you want our opinion," Scaurus starts. He looks around the plain room, looking for any sign that someone might be listening to them. "No child should have to go through that."
Maybe it's because the twins are Capitolites or maybe it's that Tiger's been an emotional wreck for the past six months, the statement brings a deep welling of tears in his eyes. He turns towards Scaurus and wraps his arms around the man's torso, burying his head deep into his chest.
"Hey, it's okay, it's okay," Scaurus shushes Tiger. Tiger lets out a choking sob and lets his body fall into Scaurus's arms. It's strangely relaxing to Tiger, this feeling of safety as he's held by Scaurus.
He would have laid there forever if he could. That would've made it all so much easier.
...
The Presidential Mansion is ever bigger than Tiger ever though it would be. Lights dance across the marble walls in fragmented circles, occasionally blinding Tiger and causing him to cringe.
Silvarus and Scaurus had dressed Tiger in a deep, rich purple-velvet suit earlier that day. Golden lines wormed their way around the suit, creating vines and leaves. Eyeliner had been heavily applied to his face along with a light layer of mauve eyeshadow.
The crowd of eager Capitolites had gathered around the steep marble stairs. The Capitol anthem played loudly in the background, which made it so that Tiger couldn't hear anything these people were saying.
He stuffed his hands inside of the suit pockets, giving the Capitolites quick smiles and nods as Bishop had told him as he got his makeup applied.
"They all want to see you, to know you, to find out what makes you tick. They want to know 'who is Tiger Ultraviolet?' And guess what? You're not going to give them that satisfaction." Tiger thought the comment was quite biting and rebellious for Bishop, a known Capitol supporter and Hunger Games enthusiast.
Bishop's hand sits on Tiger's shoulder, leading the Victor up the stairs and through the crowd. He briefly stops a few times, greeting people he knows before trekking onwards with Tiger.
They reach the top of the stairs, free from the grasps and yells of the crowd. The Presidential Mansion sits right in front of them, a large balcony overlooking the yard. In front of the house, another crowd of strangely dressed Capitolites stand, colorful drinks in their gloved hands, chatter filling the air between them.
"All right, darling. Now's the time to go mingle," Bishop says to Tiger. Tiger wants to roll his eyes at this statement. The last thing he wants to do is meet a bunch of drunk Capitol citizens who are going to ask him questions about the worst time of his life.
The night is a blur to him. He gets passed around from Capitolite to Capitolite, all of the talking at him about how they always knew he would win and that he must be so proud of himself. Tiger stuffs himself full of tiny cakes and colorful alcohol hoping to mute all the bullshit statements being thrown at him.
A tiny woman in a frilly red dress is blabbing to Tiger as the Capitol anthem starts up again. All the heads in the audience turn up towards the balcony where a spotlight has been cast. From the double doors exits President Ellis Lavender, a blond man in his late thirties. He's dressed in a crisp white suit with a few red accents scattered throughout.
Tiger remembered him and President Lavender's interaction at his crowning ceremony. He placed the golden crowd atop Tiger's head and whispered into his ear.
"I know it's all bullshit, but please smile for the cameras." Tiger didn't know what to make of that.
Vice President Dryden Anika, a taller Asian man, stands beside President Lavender, looking like an Avox ready to take his coffee order. He wears a purple suit, similar to Tiger's, except Anika's shade of the color is so dark, it's almost black.
While Tiger was more neutral on President Lavender, Vice President Anika was a completely different story. No matter what expression the man made, his pale face always looked either murderous or pissed off, which he felt most of the time. It was no secret in the Capitol that Anika relished in extremely punishing criminals or rebels.
"Hello everyone!" Ellis Lavender's higher pitched voice booms throughout the area. "Thank you for coming out today and celebrating the Victor of the One-Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Annual Hunger Games, Tiger Ultraviolet of District One!" The sound of the Capitolites cheering and clapping deafens Tiger momentarily. A spotlight from the balcony shines down upon Tiger, causing his eyes to squint. He gives a slight smile and a hearty wave to the crowd even though most of them have met him tonight.
"Mr. Ultraviolet's display of bravery in the Arena is not to be forgotten and will live on with him for many years. In my time as president, I've seen many Victors come and go and Tiger is one of the bravest and most impressive." The statement should make Tiger feel good but it just angers him further.
"Welcome to life as a Victor, Mr. Ultraviolet. May it treat you well." President Lavender concludes his speech and the yard erupts in cheers and clapping once more. Tiger looks up at Lavender and meets his honey-colored eyes. Tiger's expression is cold and distant, as if he could murder Ellis Lavender right then and there. Lavender sees this but it is unwavering to his expression. He instead turns around and walks through the doors of his mansion and disappears.
Then, his eyes are met with cold, dead, black ones. Dryden Anika's.
He starts to descend a staircase on the side of the balcony, his gaze not leaving Tiger. Tiger breaks the connection of sight and worms his way through the crowd, trying to make himself lost to the Vice President. Where the hell are the stairs? he thinks. He needs to get out of here as soon as possible.
Suddenly, he feels a firm hand on his shoulder. He doesn't need to turn around to see who it is.
"Vice President Anika," he says.
"Oh, please. Call me Dryden." Anika's slimy voice fills Tiger's ear as he walks around to meet Tiger face to face. Tiger's realizes his head barely meets the bottom of Dryden's neck as he looks up and meets his black eyes again. "How are you tonight, Mr. Ultraviolet?"
"Oh, please. Call me Tiger." The comment comes out more biting than Tiger expected and he wishes that it never left his lips. It might be the four glasses of alcohol he's had tonight. Or was it five? "I'm doing alright."
"Well, I would hope you're doing more than alright. This entire party is for you." Yeah, that's why I don't like it. "Shall we?" he asks, gesturing to an area in the middle of the party where people have gathered to dance.
"Sure." Dryden Anika takes Tiger Ultraviolet's hand and they make their way over to the dance floor, landing directly in the center. Dryden places Tiger's hand atop his shoulder and he does the same with his own. They take their remaining hands and put them together, interlocking their fingers.
"Mr Ultraviolet, there's something that I believe is important for you to understand," Anika starts as they begin to dance.
"I'm all ears."
"As Panem's newest Victor, as well as you being from District One and one of our youngest Victors, you hold an intense amount of power in your hands. With the drop of a hat, you could have people on your side of the argument simply due to the fact that you're you. Do you agree?"
"Yes, I do. I mean, all the Victors can influence-"
"Uh, uh," Dryden snaps, shaking his head. "Wrong answer. To some extent you are correct: Victors in and of themselves can be quite influential. But I'm not talking about the other Victors; I'm talking about you."
"Why me specifically?"
"You're just very young and very impressionable. I would hate for such a promising young person to fall down the path of rebellious ideas."
"Re-rebellious? No, sir, I would never do that."
"Now, I wish I could be like the rest of the Capitol audience but I'm not quite sure that I believe that."
"Vice President Anika, I assure you. I would never think of doing anything to that extent ever."
"Good. Now let's just hope it stays that way. It would be such a shame if your actions were to cause any harm to someone that you love. Such as, let's say, a boyfriend?" Tiger's heart skips a beat. Lux.
"Sir, please," Tiger pleads, tears welling up in his eyes. "I love Lux so much. I can't lose him. Please, I beg of you."
"Oh, don't worry. I wouldn't dream of doing anything to hurt such an innocent little boy. As long as you keep your promise."
"I promise."
"Well done, my boy." Dryden's feet skid to a halt and his and Tiger's dancing ceases. "This has been fun." Dryden lets go of Tiger's hand and the boy cannot keep his balance. He claws at the air as he falls downward, the falling coming to a stop when his head impacts a glass table. An audible cracking of glass is heard as Tiger slumps to the floor.
His vision goes blurry and his hearing goes muffled as the crowd swarms around him. He can briefly make out Dryden Anika scooping him up into his arms. Anika carries him over to where Bishop, Silvarus and Scaurus stand. Worry clouds their faces as Anika passes him into Silvarus' arms and they start to descend the stairs.
And then everything goes black.
...
The train ride back home is mostly a blur for Tiger. He spends most of his time slumped over on the couch, a blanket pulled over his body. Bandages are generously applied to the side of his head that hit the table. Silvarus and Scaurus come in a few times a day, either to inform him of various events or to soothe Tiger to sleep.
Tiger keeps flashing back to that night. The alcohol he consumed, the speech made by President Lavender, dancing with Dryden Anika. He keeps racking his brain for answers to Dryden's conversation with him. Why is Anika so worried about Tiger joining the rebellion. It's a widely known fact that there are rebels in the underbellies of the Districts and even parts of the Capitol. But their efforts always get squashed within a week of the Capitol learning of them.
And why did Dryden let Tiger fall? Was he just trying to get Tiger out of there, or scare him? Or was he trying to do something worse? Tiger's head hurts: from the fall and from trying to figure out Anika's intentions.
After another day, the train arrives back in District One. Tiger is led to his house in Victor's Village by Silvarus and Scaurus. His family greets him at the doorway and the twins exit and board the train back to the Capitol.
The rest of the day is filled with endless chatter about the Capitol party. Tiger's mother makes a cornish hen with brussel sprouts which Tiger and his older brother, Reign, demolish. His younger brothers, Aurelian and Artemis sit across from them, their bodies barely big enough to see over the table. They nibble on tiny pieces of meat and yell at each other about meaningless five-year-old things. Even if his mother asks endless questions about things he doesn't want to talk about and his brothers are screaming, Tiger would no want to be in any other place but here.
A few hours later, Tiger and his brothers are crowded around the television watching some superhero show from the Capitol. His mother descends the stairs wearing a green dress with a full face of makeup.
"You leaving?" Reign asks.
"Yes," she replies. "I'm going to get drinks with Dom. Please behave while i'm gone. Tiger and Reign, make sure to get Aurelian and Artemis ready for bed. They need to be asleep by 8:30."
"Okay," Tiger replies. "Love you."
"Love you guys too." His mother gives each other them an individual kiss on the top of their heads before heading out the front door. Sometimes Tiger thinks his mother wishes that he were a girl. He knows she loves her, but he also knows that she's always wanted a daughter.
The episode of the superhero show ends. Tiger and Reign place Artemis and Aurelian in their beds and turn off the lights. Reign heads to his room while Tiger hops in the shower. He smells vaguely of the Capitol musk and it's made him uncomfortable ever since he got home.
He tilts his face towards the shower head and lets the warm droplets of water fall onto his face. Moments of peace are hard to come by these days but Tiger is glad that he's found some.
He puts on his pajamas and hops into bed. It's only 10:30 but ever since returning from the Games, he gets tired earlier and falls asleep faster.
There's a knock on his door and Reign steps into the room.
"Are you going to bed?" he asks.
"Yeah," Tiger replies.
"Okay." Reign looks at Tiger and notices the tears welling in his eyes. "Hey, hey, hey, what's wrong?" Reign crouches over by the side of Tiger's bed.
"I don't know if I can go on," Tiger cries. His cheeks became flushed with red as the tears roll down his face, staining into his bedsheets.
"Hey, don't say that," Reign says, stroking Tiger's hair in an effort to calm him down.
"I just don't know how. Every night, when I go to sleep, I go back to the Arena. I'm fighting for my life again. All I see are the people I killed, the people I couldn't save, the people who didn't deserve what happened to them."
Reign is silent for a minute before speaking.
"I'd like to offer you advice but I have no idea what you're going through. And that's scary. I wish I could be more helpful and offer advice. I hate that you have to go through this alone. But I know you, Tiger. You're a fighter. You can get through this." The tears stop springing from Tiger's eyes as he pulls his brother into a tight hug.
"Thank you, Reign. Love you."
"Love you too. Good night, buddy. See ya in the morning." Reign gets up and walks out the door, shutting it behind him.
Tiger lies on his back, letting his body sink into the bed and for the first time in a while, a smile begins to form on his face.
And it's the first time in a while that Tiger Ultraviolet has remembered feeling happy.
Yay for angsty Tiger!
This story is actually alive now. That makes me very happy as you can clearly tell through the screen.
I'm jdog67 and this fic is an SYOT that I'm doing! The details (the form) for it can be found on my profile. It is first come first serve unless I get a lot of submissions which I don't see happening but you never know!
The next chapter will be the first batch of intros. They will come in sets of three, so there'll be eight chapters of intros (and maybe an interlude chapter) before we get into the fun stuff.
I don't have anything else I think, so...yeah. Please send me a tribute if you have one.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
-j