A/N: Before we get started with the intros, I'd like to just start by stating the specific trigger warnings across ALL the intros. If you need a heads up for any of these, please ask and I will tell you which tribute(s) they apply to. I'll also state at the top of any chapter a trigger warning, but not the specific trigger. This way I can make sure anyone who needs the warnings can have it, while not spoiling sometimes major parts of the tribute(s) for everyone.

Trigger warnings: abuse (a lot of it), various phobia against LGBTQ+ individuals, depression and suicidal thoughts.

That being said, trigger warning for both of these tributes.


Chapter 1:

District Two

Vulcan Adamos, 18

Two Months Before

"Vulcan, would you just lighten up? One would think you're going to a funeral, not a drag show."

Vulcan rolls his eyes at Suadela, crossing his arms yet still keeping pace with his older sister. Better to keep pace with her than Mercury and Nestor…ugh, he does not want to be near his twin and best friend when they decide to start being all lovey dovey in public. "No, this show is lame."

…He won't admit that he's actually excited to go to the Pride drag show this year.

"Is he still complaining?" Mercury yells from behind them, making Vulcan flip his brother off over his shoulder. "Of course he is."

"Why would I want to go to a show being hosted by our two youngest victors who have abandoned us to go mentor the Capitol instead? Think of how many sponsors I could have had if Odyssey would have stayed in Two and mentored me," Vulcan shakes his head as their group starts to slow as they approach the building, a big group of people waiting outside to get in. "Great, we'll be out here forever."

"Oh lighten up and try not to make anyone mad at you tonight," Suadela tells him, looking around for anyone she knows and standing on her toes to see over people. She soon grabs Vulcan's arm to start dragging him towards the front of the line. "Make way everyone, District Two's next victor coming through!"

Vulcan puffs up his chest and pulls his arm back to not be dragged by his older sister as people start looking over at him, a few acknowledging him as he walks past. "Hey, how's it going?" He says to a few of his fellow trainees as he walks past them, giving a few some fist bumps.

Suadela stops at the front door and pushes him in front of her. "We have Vulcan Adamos with us, one of District Two's volunteers this year."

Vulcan stands as tall as possible and crosses his arms, ready to fight back if they try to stop him from entering because even if he totally doesn't want to be here – obviously he doesn't think drag shows are fun or anything like that – he is not going to let them refuse his entry when he's District Two's next victor. "That's right, now let us in."

The bouncer shrugs and gestures them in, Suadela clapping her hands and giggling in excitement, while Mercury throws his arm around Nestor's shoulders, making a scowl form on Vulcan's face immediately. His twin and friend quickly leave him to go mingle with the rest of the crowd, leaving Vulcan at the liberty of his sister dragging him wherever she wants. He tries not to look excited about the upcoming show as Suadela keeps stopping to talk to people she knows, bragging about her little brother. All the while, Vulcan stares around the room, continuously looking over at the stage and finding a bitter pit of jealousy forming with each passing minute towards Odyssey. How come he gets to be so open and proud of his identity when Vulcan has to get told all the time by his family that it's just a phase? Or live in the shadow of Mercury being so accepted for being gay? Why is it so hard for them to believe him compared to his twin?

Well he has something up on his twin. Mercury didn't get to be the chosen volunteer, only Vulcan has that honor.

"Vulcan! Are you in District Two or up in the clouds?"

"What do you want, Suadela?" Vulcan asks, turning to face his sister with a scowl. "I was thinking, which I know is a hard concept for you to comprehend."

Suadela just laughs at his comment instead of getting offended, all too familiar with him. "Oh shush. Do you want some pins?"

Vulcan glances at where she's pointing at the table crowded by people offering a variety of different pride pins. He stares longingly at them for a few seconds, wondering what it'd be like to wear them and have people actually acknowledge who he is and not just brush it off. "I don't care," he finally says with a shrug, even if he most definitely does.

"I'm going to grab you two," Suadela tells him before leaving him alone in the crowd with no idea what he should be doing. He stares around at the crowd of people, everyone laughing and in great moods, celebrating openly who they are without a care in the world. His gaze finds Mercury surrounded by friends, laughing with them and looking so happy…with Vulcan's best friend at his side…

Whatever. He doesn't need these people or their approval. He's going to go win the Games and then whoever didn't support him will be cut out of his life.

Vulcan looks over in confusion when he feels someone tapping his shoulder. "What the-"

"Venus wanted me to come find you," Anastacia says and Vulcan blinks a few times in surprise, not expecting her to be in Two for this party, before quickly collecting himself. At her side is Elias, who has a hand on her shoulder to guide her around the crowd, and seems to be trying his hardest not to be overwhelmed by everything. "Although I don't think she really thought through asking the blind person to go find someone. You don't see a person in months and they forget that you're blind from the traumatic experience you both shared."

"Okay Vulcan, I got you- oh!" Suadela stops in surprise at the sight of Anastacia there before grinning at the survivor. "Nice to meet you Anastacia, and Elias too! I'm Vulcan's older sister, Suadela!"

"Good for you," Anastacia answers, giving her a lazy stare for a few seconds too many and Vulcan holds back a laugh at his sister growing uncomfortable. "Come on, we don't have all night."

"Wait, you're pins!" Suadela says as Vulcan starts following the pair, and she grabs his shirt, pinning the two on to it while he walks. "There, all set!"

"Okay, okay, now leave me alone," Vulcan tells her, brushing her off. God, it's so uncool to have his sister being overbearing of him in public. Who's going to think he's tough enough to win when his sister babies him?

"All black pins, very nice," Anastacia yells back to him, trying to be heard over the crowd.

"They're not all black, you dingus. One's the same as yours," Vulcan retorts, glancing down at the pins on his shirt. He hesitates as he looks at them, knowing he'll have to ditch them before he gets home, not wanting to hear his parents bitching about how he'll eventually find a partner like Mercury and being ace is just a phase, blah blah blah, or he can't be strong enough to win the Games identifying as anything other than a man…

But he will be. He has to be.

"Please do not call her that," Elias says quiet enough that Vulcan can barely hear him over the crowd. He starts frowning about it and Anastacia gives him a reassuring smile.

"Ah don't worry Elias, dingus is actually a funny insult – I'm gonna call Argos that. But anyways, everything is black to me now," Anastacia says, turning back to make sure he can see her rolling her eyes at him. "Watch out for that Lukianas. The only good thing he's done for me is buy me lots of alco-"

"Anastacia!"

They turn towards the person calling for her, finding Amelia waving her over from the side of the stage. "Hey Vulcan," Amelia greets him cheerfully and he just gives a nod in greeting. "The show's about to start."

"Can't wait, I hope she wears the black dress," Anastacia says and a snicker of laughter slips out of Vulcan before he can stop it. He catches her giving a small smile in his direction and for a brief moment, lets himself relax a little and enjoy being with these people. But he soon glances at the rest of the crowd, wanting to make sure that people are seeing him with Odyssey's friends and survivors of the Quell. After all, they're like, the most famous people here.

The lights go down and Vulcan finds himself smiling with the infectious mood of the crowd, letting himself just enjoy the show since it's too dark for anyone to actually see his face. Misha takes the stage, holding Venus's hand and leading her out to the cheers of the crowd. Venus waves at them, blowing a few kisses at them and waving with a very sparkly glove to hide the remnants of the Quell. Misha gestures to her, letting her take center stage, but not before she gives him a big kiss on the cheek that leaves behind a big lipstick stain and makes Vulcan roll his eyes.

"Good evening, District Two!" Venus greets the crowd, getting cheers in return. "Let me just say you all look lovely tonight – even you Anastacia," she pauses as the crowd laughs at her joke. She takes a few seconds for the crowd to quiet down, growing a little bit serious as she faces them. "I performed here a year ago today and although many things have changed in this time, one thing has not – District Two is still my home and it's great to be here tonight!"

Vulcan almost starts clapping, but stops when he realizes that despite what she's saying, her loyalty is still being pulled towards the Capitol and not here. "Now before we kick off this party, let me just take a moment to bring up a special guest. Someone who will still have my support, even if we have to mentor someone else – Vulcan Adamos!"

A brief bit of surprise flashes on his face as Venus motions for him to come up on the stage. Vulcan hesitates a moment, worried that they won't accept him like his family does, almost stopping him from going up before he realizes that they can fuck off if they don't like him. He's not going into the Games for them. Vulcan heads up on stage, smirking at the cheering crowd and giving a wave before standing next to Venus, putting his hands in his pockets and his shoulders back, trying to look as tough as possible. "Vulcan here will be one of the volunteers this year," Venus says as she puts a hand on his shoulder and he stands up taller, filled with pride. "I know you all will support him just as much as you supported me!"

As the crowd cheers in response, Vulcan can't help but feel that Venus is lying about that. He won't have their support like most people cheered on Odyssey. He's not funny or charming like him. He's not even brave enough to be comfortable in his identity like Odyssey, and Odyssey is a freaking drag queen. Because his family would never accept him like that, not if he's not the toughest person he can be.

But maybe for just one night he can pretend they actually support him before he brushes them aside.


Chantelle Wicks, 18

That Same Night

"I should have known you would be here."

Chantelle jumps at the voice calling out to her, making her fist slip off center as she strikes the punching back once more. She glares over her shoulder at her boyfriend approaching, her anger mostly directed inwards that she let herself get spooked like that. "Why wouldn't I be here? It's a Friday night."

"Exactly, Chantelle, it's a Friday," Zeagan says with a chuckle as he stops by her side. "Not even Vulcan is here."

"If he wants to go party instead of being here, that's all his prerogative," Chantelle tells him with a shrug. "But I can think of much better ways to spend my time than at a drag show for a victor that isn't even mentoring me."

"What, spending every waking hour training?" Zeagan asks and when Chantelle nods her head, he sighs and shakes his head at her. "Chantelle," Zeagan says in a slightly scolding tone, only making her tense up at whatever he's going to tell her. "You've proven you're good enough already-"

"Good enough doesn't mean perfect," Chantelle points out to him, resuming punching the bag in front of her with more anger than precision. She takes a few deep breaths, trying to remind herself that Zeagan is telling the truth, that he's not that awful man at home… Chantelle lets out a cry of frustration, imagining for a moment that the bag is her father as she slams her fist into his face, only to immediately feel guilty about even imagining that.

"Babe, come on," Zeagan tells her, starting to reach out to put a hand on her shoulder but stopping when she cuts him a glare about interfering again. Instead, he puts his hands in his pockets as he studies her for a minute in silence. "Let's go home."

"I'm not ready to go home yet," Chantelle finally answers after getting her swings perfect once more. Damn it, why did she let herself get spooked like that and mess up her form? The other careers won't make that mistake in the arena… She has two more months, she'll make sure they're not doing better than her. "There's too much practicing to do still."

Zeagan gives a sigh as he puts his hands on the punching bag, stopping her in her tracks. "Chantelle, you're the chosen volunteer."

"You're damn right I am," Chantelle stands up taller, putting her hands on her hips as pride wells in her. It's something she hasn't stopped boasting to people about ever since she was chosen, knowing just how many hours she's worked her ass off for it. She's pretty sure the people at the farmer's market are getting tired of hearing her tell them every time she goes there, but who cares? She earned this, so she'll make sure they know who she is.

"I think that means you can take a night off," Zeagan continues, his tone gentle and delicate as he suggests something he knows Chantelle won't agree to.

"You know I can't do that," Chantelle shakes her head at him before gesturing at the punching bag he's still holding. "Now can you please let go so I can keep training?"

"Chantelle…" Zeagan gently reaches out, grabbing her fists slowly to make sure she doesn't reflexively hit him. He stares down at them, bringing her attention to her bleeding knuckles and it is only once she notices the injuries that she starts to feel the sting of rubbing them raw. "You're bleeding…let's stop."

"I've had worse and kept going," Chantelle points out and Zeagan shushes her, getting a look in return from her. But better to get a look than a punch to the jaw over trying to get her to stop.

Zeagan shakes his head and starts leading her away from the punching bag, "I'm doing this because I care about you. You've trained enough, I know it." Zeagan turns back to gently touch the tip of her nose, making her swat his hand away as a surprising laugh slips out of her. "You're going to be the victor, I have no doubt about it, and hitting a punching back a dozen more times won't change that. So we're going now."

"But I really can't go home yet," Chantelle tells him, pulling him to a stop easily. She starts frowning as she glances at the time, knowing she told her father she wouldn't be home yet for at least another hour. If she were to return home now…he might not be passed out yet, halfway through another bottle. He would see her return early and be angry at this point in his drinking… Chantelle starts shaking her head before even realizing it, tightening her grip on Zeagan's hand as he looks on with a look of concern. "I can't take his words tonight."

Zeagan's face falls as he knows what she means – the only other person that knows just what awaits her when she goes home every day. Everyone else just assumes she stays late obsessively training – which she does – but they don't know the reason for it. They don't know the words haunting her in the back of her mind every time she competes or messes up. A spasm of pain goes through her leg as she thinks back on the scar there from an injury she was too afraid to get properly looked at, knowing he would tell her how useless she was for getting it and afraid to take any time off from training.

Yet despite it all, she's still pushing herself to the breaking point with the slimmest bit of hope in her that maybe this time she'll prove to her father that she's not useless.

"You can come over to my place then," Zeagan tells her, giving her a gentle smile before leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. "We'll have a relaxing night and then you can go home long after he's asleep."

Chantelle mulls it over for a few seconds, watching him keep giving her an adorable smile, before finally sighing in defeat. "Fine," Chantelle answers him, making his smile grow. She points at him with a serious look on her face, already feeling guilty for using her designated training time for something else. "But I'm going in tomorrow one hour early to make up for this."

Zeagan doesn't try to fight this, knowing after three years of dating her that he won't win the argument. He's lucky he even convinced her to leave early tonight. "I won't keep you up too late then. Now go shower, I'm not letting you in my room when you're like this."

"Yeah whatever, you sweat more than I do without even training," Chantelle rolls her eyes at his comment as she pries her hand free from him, heading off to the locker room, leaving Zeagan to chuckle at what she said.

At this time of night, the locker room is completely free of other trainees, the ones her age mostly having given up now that the volunteer was chosen and the younger ones not nearly as dedicated as her. Chantelle doesn't mind the quiet as she peels off her training clothes – alright, maybe Zeagan has a point – and steps into the warm water, sighing in relief as her tense muscles start to relax. Yet as she just stands there in the hot water, one part of her just can't relax. The voice of her father whispers in her head, reminding her that she's not going to win if she keeps doing things like this.

Chantelle leans her head against the shower wall, slamming her fist into it in frustration at herself. Why can't she just let herself go hang out with her boyfriend without feeling intense guilt at not using the time for training? Why must her father's words be so ingrained in her that she can't even do anything out of feeling like she's not good enough?

"Fuck you," Chantelle whispers to the image of her father in her head, smelling the alcohol on his breath as he tells her how useless she is day after day. She's not…

Is she?

Sure, she's been picked as the volunteer, but what if that was all just a fluke? There's still two months to go before the Games start. Kat could change her mind about Chantelle within this time if she slips up at all or gives any sort of indication that she won't win. And she would rather die than take the shame of failure after being selected the volunteer and having it taken away from her. She wouldn't be able to go back home and look her father in the eye and tell him that he's been right all these years.

Fuck it, she's not leaving the training center yet. She'll sleep here if she has to.

Chantelle shuts off the water, taking a moment to compose her face and push back any of the insecurity showing there. She grabs a towel and wraps it around herself before stomping over to the locker room door, knowing Zeagan will be waiting outside it for her. When she throws open the door, dripping water all over the floor, he gives her a confused look at her current state, "What are you doing?"

"Go home, Zeagan," Chantelle tells him, her voice cool and low as she tries to hide the fear in her voice that she isn't enough for this. "I'm staying here."

"Chantelle…" Zeagan tries to say and she just shakes her head at him.

"I'm serious, Zeagan," Chantelle answers as she turns back into the locker room to get back into her training clothes. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Chantelle glances back just before the door shuts, seeing the disappointment on his face. She fights back the guilt over doing this to him, knowing he understands why she must keep doing this. She's not stopping until she knows she's the best. She won't stop until they're announcing her name as the victor. And then her father will finally be proud of her…

She hopes.


Woo first set of intros! Big thanks to 66samvr and chcolate for Vulcan and Chantelle respectively! So yes, we are kicking off our intros with District Two! For...reasons lol. I'm really looking forward to these two :)

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter and these two! I love chapters where the two POVs can be interconnected in some way and felt it was a perfect opportunity to show some of the differences between them in this way. Also you know what, I'm gonna do random questions for chapters with this story! Answering these questions will give you some extra sponsor points!

RQ #1: Lets start with...which District do you think will be next?

So as you might have noticed, I've been on a little bit of a writing break. There was some personal stuff irl and I needed to take some time away from writing and updating, even if I had updates done already, because I just couldn't get excited for it. I still don't know if I'm going to jump back into writing right now and might still take a couple more weeks off from it. But, I'm hoping maybe updating today can spark that inspiration to get back in and work on some intros. At this point, the next intro is about... 75% completed, so who knows, maybe I'll finish it for next Friday or maybe it will be another couple weeks. But regardless, I will be getting back to this soon. Writing is usually my go to way of dealing with things so I'll be back into the swing of things soon. Thank you to anyone who has checked in, I really appreciate your concern.

In the meantime, if you get curious about when I'll be updating/writing progress, I'm trying to keep my profile update about it. Well, I'll see you sometimes soon, whenever that might be.