Breaking Point Sextet
Side Story II
Freedom: The 50th Hunger Games
Chapter 2: District One Reaping
A/N: Thanks to FizznBoo and AstralKnight98 for the wonderful Tributes featured in this chapter!
Velvet McHarthy –15- -D1- POV
I swing my sword at the boy in front of me, a low slash to cut across his stomach. He manages to parry at the last second, bringing his blade between his body and my blade and pushing my blade out and to the side. I quickly break the lock, pulling my blade down as his momentum still carries him upwards. He's bigger than me – and the bigger they are, the harder they fall. I stab my blade forward and touch his stomach.
"Good job, Velvet," the boy smiles, lowering his blade and offering me a handshake. I toss my training blade to the side and shake his hand.
"Thanks…" I may have forgotten his name. I had a different trainer last week, they change so often it's hard to keep track of them.
"James," he offers.
"Thanks, James," I smile.
"Of course," he says. "You should be going though. Want to shower and get ready before the Reaping."
"Right," I say. "Gotta pretty myself up to Volunteer."
"You're really going to do it?" James asks. "This young? Even though it's a Quell?"
I shrug. "Hey, I'm not worried. Even if I get some like, twelve-year-old from Twelve, I'll just let them die quickly, and then I'll do fine on my own."
"Not sure the Capitol would like that attitude," James says. "But hey, you're right about one thing – you are good enough. I think, at least. Second to none at swordfighting, from what I've seen."
I nod. "Exactly. I've got this." I smile, pat James on the shoulder, and head off to the showers. I wish I was as confident as I felt.
As I strip off the sweaty training clothes and step into the warm water, I consider James' questions. Until now, my main concern had been that I'm a terrible shot with a bow and don't have the right kind of strength to throw a spear further than its own length. And while I am still concerned about those things… and that the other careers will kill me because I'm just a kid compared to them… and that most of them will probably be able to crack my skull with their bare hands – besides all of that, now there's the worry that I'll have to babysit someone who will drag me down.
Actually, will there even be a career alliance? Or will everyone stick to their own forced alliances? If there isn't one… that could be bad.
But there's nothing for it… I have to win. For Mom. For me… I need to survive, I need to win. I can do this. I'm the best swordswoman in the district, after all… supposedly.
I finish my shower, quickly brush and braid my auburn hair, pull on my Reaping dress, try to smile at my blue eyes to boost my confidence, and head off towards the town square.
Riesling "Ries" Zinfandel –18- -D1- POV
I walk through the vineyard with Leah, idly brushing my hand along the nearly-ready grapevines.
"I'm still not sure why my parents brought me here," she says.
"Me neither," I respond. "But… it's nice to see you, before the Reaping, at least. Have more than a few rushed moments before I head out."
"Yeah," she says. "You're sure you're going to do it?"
"Of course," I respond. "I have to win. For the glory of the District… and for my sister."
"Right," she says. "Right… Of course. Well, when you get back, remember us little people, okay?"
"You're hardly little," I respond. "You could easily volunteer next year, win honor and glory for yourself."
"Yeah…" she says. "Yeah, I could."
"Everything all right, Leah?" I ask, stopping to turn to her. "You seem… off, today. If something's wrong, you can tell me. Your parents didn't find out about Gaea, did they?"
"No, no, not that," she says. "I'd be crying if that was the case… it's, nothing, I promise. Let's just get back to the house… it's almost time for you to get ready."
"Right," I respond. "Well, if it ever is something, you can let me know." I start walking again.
Leah starts to follow me. "I wi- oof!" She gets cut off by running face-first into an extending wall carrying some extra grapevines.
"Leah, are you okay?" I ask, turning back and stepping over to her, putting my hands on her shoulders. Her hands are over her eyes, but as she peels them away, she looks fine, if her nose is bruised a bit. Still, I quickly run her face over with my hands, checking to make sure nothing feels broken.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she says. "Just didn't see the pillar under the vines, is all."
"I… see…" I say. "You… sure, nothing's wrong? Because, not to offend you, but that pillar is… obvious."
"I… uh, fine," Leah relents. "You can't tell anyone this, okay? Not until you win, at least, and can see who you want."
I nod, wondering what this news might be… if she's saying that it could prevent my parents from letting her see me… well, that doesn't really narrow it down. She could have accidentally mildly annoyed one of the Academy heads with a misplaced comment about a chicken roast and they might decide she wasn't socially acceptable enough to be my friend. Like what happened with Candle.
"I… I'm starting to lose my sight," she says. "I'm going blind."
"Oh… I… I'm sorry, Leah," I respond, considering for a moment and then giving her a hug. "Is there any way to treat it?"
"Not that the doctors know about, no," she says. "If there was… I'd be doing it. I don't want to go blind."
"I can imagine, that would be scary," I say. "And you wouldn't be able to Volunteer."
She nods. "I don't care that much about it… the Academy will find out. And I never wanted to Volunteer that much anyway, not like you. Not that there's anything wrong with Volunteering – especially for you. But I didn't want to lose you as a friend… I know your parents would never approve of somebody… weak, like me."
I consider for a moment. On one hand… she is physically weak. Someone who can't see isn't exactly going to put up an impressive fight, after all. On the other hand… if I were to go blind… I don't know. I'd probably find a way around it, rather than run into walls. That said… I do have to admire her determination. A lot of people weaker than me and her probably wouldn't take this news so well.
"Hey, you're not weak," I respond. "Physically, sure, but… you're dealing well. Just… I don't know… once I'm gone, maybe you can get someone to coach you to be as strong as you can without sight. It won't matter if people know then."
She nods. "Maybe I will. But for now… let's not talk about it. You need to get ready and Volunteer."
I nod, and we walk in silence back to my house.
"I'll be out in front," she says. "Since apparently I'm walking over with you."
"See you in a minute," I respond. Heading inside, I head to my room and quickly pull off my simple walking clothes, donning a nice suit. Have to look pretty for the pictures, after all. I take a second to brush my blond curls into something more manageable, nod at my blue-eyed reflection in the mirror, and then leave the house again. My Mother and Father will catch up.
Velvet McHarthy –15- -D1- POV
I arrive at the Reaping and take my place in my section. I have no one here to talk to. Friends would only distract me, or so Mom says. She's probably right. While they could be useful for some things… probably more of a distraction than anything else.
I glance around at the girls near me, chattering amongst themselves. None of them seem worried, although some of them do give me odd glances – the others from the Academy, mostly. They must know that I'm going to Volunteer. They probably don't think I'll really go through with it. But I will.
The Tribute Escort walks on stage. What's her name again? Gemma, I think. Something like that.
"Hello, hello, hello, District One!" She grins as she opens the Reaping. Everyone quiets down. "I'm Gemma, and it's my pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural event of our most wonderful annual Hunger Games! As you know, this year is the fiftieth, and you all heard the handsome President Snow's twist announcement! I will announce the partner for the Tribute after they have been Reaped. Everyone understand?"
There are general cheers. I don't cheer, mostly caught off guard by the whole thing. I take a deep breath. My moment is almost here. I can do this. I can be brave.
"Well, excellent then! Let's get started! The Female Tribute from District One is -" Now or never.
"I Volunteer as Tribute!" I shout. I did it. I knew I could. I'm good. I'm going to be the best.
"Oh!" She says. "How exciting! Please, come up to the stage."
I walk up to the stage, confident smile on my face.
"What's your name?" Gemma asks.
"Velvet," I respond, "McHarthy."
"Velvet McHarthy, everyone!" Gemma says. "She will be partnered with the District Seven Female!"
Riesling "Ries" Zinfandel –18- -D1- POV
I arrive at the Reaping and am nearly immediately brought into a hug by a small but athletic man.
"Hey, Emerald," I return the hug. "Good to see you."
He nods. "You too, Ries. And you, Leah." Leah nods. "Why does she get to walk with you here, though?"
I shrug. "Her parents dropped her off at my place. Not sure why. Would've invited you too if I was asked."
He chuckles. "Huh. Parents are weird. Well… good luck, today, I guess."
"I don't need luck." I say. "Today, at least. Just need to say my part. Shouldn't be much luck in the rest of it though, just needing to perform my best. And I can do that."
Emerald nods. "I'm sure you can."
I see Gemma walking up on stage. "Time to get to our places," I say. "I'll see you two once I've won One our appropriate honor and glory."
Leah nods and gives me a quick hug. "See you, Ries." She walks off to her section.
Emerald walks with me to our section, and I turn my attention to the Reaping. It's interesting that they'll announce our partners now, but that's good – it gives us more time to strategize. I watch the Female Tribute – I briefly have flashbacks to when I watched my sister volunteer, all those years ago – but I quickly force those away. Those memories won't help me win… not as anything more than determination to win the glory she lost, at least. It's my turn now, and I will win. For One. For Grisa. And for me.
"The Male Tribute from District One is -"
"I Volunteer as Tribute!" I shout.
Emerald pats me on the back as I stride towards the stage. "Go get em, Ries."
"And who might you be, strapping young man?" Gemma asks.
"Riesling Zinfandel," I respond.
"The Male Tribute from District One is Riesling Zinfandel! And his partner will be the Female Tribute from District Nine!"
"The Tributes from District One are Velvet McHarthy and Riesling Zinfandel!"
A/N: Well, it's been a while since I wrote one of those, so sorry if it's a bit rough – I promise it'll get better as I get back into the flow! That said, what do you think of these Tributes? Please let me know your thoughts, and please, submit your own Tributes! See you in the next one! - JStar14H
Tribute List:
D1F: Velvet Mcharthy, 15, by thehungergamesz
D1M: Riesling "Ries" Zinfandel, 18, by Astral Knight98
D2F: Hazel Corby, 18 by Lunar-Eclipse5009
D2M: Reserved for Professor R.J. Lupin1
D3F: Open
D3M: Reserved for Son of Arryn
D4F: Reserved for NolstalgicPride
D4M: Reserved for n3b
D5F: Open
D5M: Reserved for Lunar-Eclipse5009
D6F: Open
D6M: Open
D7F: Vixen Adanis, 16, by thehungergamesz
D7M: Reserved for NolstalgicPride
D8F: Reserved for n3b
D8M: Reserved for Paradigm
D9F: Muffy Carpenter, 12, by AstralKnight98
D9M: Reserved for Paradigm
D10F: Open
D10M: Reserved for Son of Arryn
D11F: Open
D11M: Open
D12F: Open
D12M: Reserved for Professor R.J. Lupin1