Chapter 6:
District Four
Valletta McClellan, 18
Two Months Before
Valletta has never seen so much excitement and discouragement at the same time as there is in the training center as the victors get ready to pick this year's volunteers. And after the last two years of earning second place, she can't blame them. It seems as if people are only either thinking that this will be the year they get victory or resigned to another year of coming so close, just to fall short.
But she hasn't lost faith yet in the victors to make the choice that will finally earn District Four their next victor. She so badly hopes it will be her but if not…she will respect their decision. Lord knows there's plenty of people here that are just as trained as she is and worthy of the spot. Yet the victors aren't picking solely on ability to fight, not this year. Which means Valletta has another shot to make sure she shows them all she has the drive to be their next victor. Or she'll end up their next second place. Always a possibility and sure, she has hope, but she's not going to ignore the reality of life as a potential volunteer in District Four.
Which is how Valletta has ended up sitting outside of Iona's office with the top ten of her year, all of them waiting for their name to get called to speak with the victors. Some have been in and out in less than five minutes while others have been there for close to one hour.
The door opens and Iona leads the trainee out, their head hung low. The victor looks around before calling out the next name. "Juno Ladair."
Juno nods their head as they stand up, brushing their hair in front of their face as they glance around at the trainees still sitting there. The door shuts behind them and Valletta tenses, knowing she will be up next since they're going in alphabetical order. Some of the other trainees chat with each other as they wait, about half of the group having gone in already, but none of them chat with Valletta – mostly by her own doing. She doesn't particularly have any issue with these people specifically but…no, she'll just end up getting hurt if she gets close to any of them. It happened years ago in the training center and honestly she wouldn't put it past any of the potential volunteers to get close to exploit her weaknesses to earn the spot instead.
She taps her foot as she waits and waits, the time dragging on as Juno chats with the victors. She doesn't know if their meeting is actually taking a long time or if it just seems that way since she's next. Finally, the door opens and Iona leads Juno out, a lazy smirk on their face that screams of confidence. Alright, so they're cocky.
Iona turns to Valletta and nods her head. "Valletta McClellan."
"Yes, ma'am," Valletta answers as she stands up, brushing off her pants before tucking her hands into her pockets. She looks down at the victor, towering over the woman, and tries not to be self-conscious about it – it's taken so much effort to reach the point of being comfortable with her height and embracing it as an advantage for the Games, not something hindering her from being nimbler.
She follows Iona into the office and the victor shuts the door behind her, before gesturing at the desk where Okeanas and Muir sit behind it. Next to the victor is a man Valletta has never seen before, sitting with a machine with all sorts of wires connected to it that has her curious. "Please, take a seat. We have a series of questions to ask you and Cleo here will tell us if you're telling the truth."
Valletta raises her eyebrows at that but sits quietly, letting Cleo attach all the sensors to her. She has nothing to hide from the victors. Anyways, who would be foolish enough to blatantly lie to them when they are the ones deciding who will volunteer? "So be it," she finally says with a shrug as she sits back in the chair once Cleo is done and has returned to his spot.
"We'll start with some stuff to get a baseline," Okeanas instructs her and Valletta nods obediently as a little bit of fear goes through her at the victor's harsh gaze. Yes, Valletta towers over her and Okeanas is in her sixties, but she is still a force to reckon with. "What is your name?"
"Valletta McClellan."
"Who is your father?"
"Mason McClellan, trainer for strategy," Valletta answers, knowing they know that. The victors look to Cleo who nods his head.
"Okay, the real questions now," Muir folds her hands in her lap as she studies Valletta.
"If you want to volunteer, I strongly recommend you don't lie to us," Okeanas adds on and Muir rolls her eyes at the older woman.
"Yes, yes," Muir waves her off. "So, Valletta. Why do you want to volunteer for the Games?"
"I've been training for this for years," Valletta starts and Okeanas scoffs at the obvious answer. Valletta holds up her hand to stop the victor from saying anything, not done with her answer. "It's a heroic sacrifice for the District, volunteering for the weak and poor to earn them a better life. And I want to show all those people that knocked me down how strong I am now," she finishes with a shrug.
"There's the selfish answer," Okeanas grins at her and Valletta narrows her eyes, unsure if that's a good or bad thing. "You need to be selfish in the Games if you want to win. All of us here won by being selfish."
"But it's also important to have reasons to fight and get home," Muir adds on, wincing a little at Okeanas's statement. "So who are those people for you?"
"My family, of course," Valletta answers right away. "And my best friend Tudor."
"Just close friends or any feelings there?" Iona asks and Valletta scoffs in response. "That answers that. What about feeling towards other volunteers? We don't want a repeat of District Two last year."
"Absolutely not," Valletta answers and they look to Cleo for confirmation she's telling the truth. "I barely talk to any of them. You can't trust anyone here."
"Or in the arena," Muir says quietly and they fall into awkward silence, all of them knowing just how she betrayed trust in her arena. She clears her throat and speaks up louder, "What about whoever you volunteer with? It's more important than ever that our volunteers work together to ensure victory."
Valletta considers this for a moment, knowing she has to keep whoever it is at an arm's length away. To both avoiding having her trust betrayed and from getting too close to them to the point she starts prioritizing their wellbeing over hers. "I'll work with them but don't expect a friendship."
"As long as you're not at each other's throats or falling in love, that's all I can ask for," Iona tells her and Valletta nods in agreement. Either of those would be dumb for her shot at winning. There's no way she would let a man distract her in the Games. "Now this next question is…rather important from a government standpoint. What are your thoughts on the rebels and recent actions?"
The question catches her off guard as she thought all the questions would be about the Games and her training, and it takes her a couple minutes to figure out how to put her thoughts into words that won't get her disqualified for thinking she's a rebel sympathizer. "I understand what they want, but they're doing more harm than good," Valletta finally answers them. "Innocent, normal people get punished and hurt for their actions. So ultimately, yeah, I understand fighting to make a difference, but they're doing more harm than good."
The three victors share a look at her response and Valletta studies them closely, trying to find out the meaning behind their looks. Iona gives a tiny nod before turning back to Valletta. "Alright, we have one final question for you. Do you really think you can win?"
"Yeah, I do," Valletta answers, a little cocky, but she knows her strengths and weaknesses. She didn't make it to this point if she didn't have the possibility of being able to win from her training. "Of course…with the right strategy, anyone can win, along with a bit of luck."
"That is true," Iona says and nods her head as she stands up. Valletta quickly follows her action, staring down at the women still sitting down. "That is all we have to ask today. You'll find out the results tomorrow."
Valletta nods her head before offering out her hand to the victors to shake as Cleo gets the sensors off of her. "Thank you all for your consideration."
As she leaves the office, she keeps her face a blank slate as she walks past the trainees still waiting. She doesn't want to give any indication of what happened in there. She glances at the time as she leaves, noticing just how long she was in there, and slowly starting to smile.
Surely being in there for over a half hour has to be a good sign. Better than being one of the ones out in five minutes.
Well…Valletta supposes she'll find out tomorrow.
Juno Ladair, 18
Two Weeks Before
Juno peers around in the dark night, hands tucked in their pockets as a figure steps out towards them, one they've seen so often they can identify just from their silhouette. "I told you to stop contacting me," Juno tells him as they take the crumpled note out of their pocket and tosses it at him.
"The Raven appears," Crow says, making Juno roll their eyes at the stupid nickname he gave them years ago. He catches the paper easily as he chuckles at them, "Then why did you show up here? Don't fool yourself, kid, you might be saying you're done but I know you're not."
Juno purses their lips at this, knowing he's right…they're not going to turn down any extra cash right now, not with the Games only weeks away. Lacey needs it too much for Juno to turn down a job paying this much.
"I can't keep taking these jobs," Juno tells him, partially trying to convince themself. Training has to come first. And while they haven't been caught before, there's too much at risk, especially now that they're the chosen volunteer. "The Reaping is only two weeks away."
"I still don't get why you're volunteering to go into a death match," Crow shakes his head at them and in the darkness, Juno almost thinks they catch a flash of pain on his face at the mention of the Games. "Everyone goes in thinking they'll win, but they don't, and leave behind the people they love to suffer without them."
"Not everyone," Juno answers with a shrug. "One person comes out every year and it's going to be me."
"Yeah, whatever kid, I still think you're making a dumb choice," Crow says, falling silent for a moment as they stare at each other, Juno holding back from telling him exactly why they are volunteering for this. But they can't, as much as a part of them wants him to understand. They can't have Crow know and risk the merging of these two worlds and put their sister at risk. If anyone goes down from this lifestyle, it will be Juno and only Juno. "You know…if you're really serious about this volunteering thing, I could use some help with a Capitol job while you're there."
"No," Juno answers immediately, not even having to think on it. "I'm not risking my life while being observed by the Capitol every hour of the day."
"Fine, fine," Crow responds casually, but from the set of his shoulders, Juno knows he's not giving it up yet. Just two more weeks of turning him down… Juno can do that, right? "Then how about a job right here in Four?"
Juno knows their answer already, but Crow doesn't need to know that. Besides, a small part of them deep down wants to know just what they'll be getting into before agreeing. "What is it this time?"
"They need some money," Crow answers right away, resulting in a slow raise of the eyebrow from Juno. "And want us to make it look like it wasn't them by targeting one of their home Districts."
Juno contemplates their response, knowing they said they were going to be done supporting that group with their upcoming volunteering… But technically, the Crow didn't say who they're working for, just that someone needs money… "Will it pay more than that armor did? What about the victor's underwear?"
"Way more than the underwear. This will make the armor job look like pocket change," Crow tells him and Juno lets out a sigh of knowing he can't turn down this job. That armor heist kept them afloat for months and if this is paying more than that, well…it's worthwhile to have some money saved for the Games. Just in case they don't come back home to Lacey. "You know, I could really use your skills for this one. This one will require a second pair of eyes and you're the only one I trust to do it."
Damn it, why does he have to be so good at getting Juno involved? Crow knows just the right things to say…flatter their ego a little, entice them with some money… "Just tell me what the job is."
"Not until I know you're in," Crow shakes his head at them and holds out their hand to shake on their deal. Juno knows he'll keep his word about it – he's never gone back on a deal yet.
Juno thinks on it for a few seconds, knowing they can't back out once Crow tells them what the job is – not without putting their life at risk because for as friendly as Crow is towards them, he won't hesitate to throw Juno to the wolves if it's his life or theirs. Can't say they blame him, they'd do the same thing. Yet can they put their chance of volunteering on the line and risk not getting to go in? But if this job is going to pay more than one of their biggest heists yet, can they really say no?
They can't. Not when Lacey is depending on them.
"Alright, I'm in," Juno finally answers, shaking Crow's hand firmly.
Juno can just barely catch Crow's grin in the moonlight, "Alright Raven, let's go rob the District bank."
Juno's steps are quiet as they enter the house, latching the door behind them and fighting off a yawn. Their pockets are heavy with coins as the sun casts their shadow on the wall as they head towards his older sister's room. Gently, they crack open the door to not wake her up, just to check on her. In the early morning light, they wait to see the slow rise of her chest, feeling worry go away that they didn't even know was there. If they're this worried from just leaving her alone for one night, can they leave her for a few weeks for the Games? They have to…they're out of options.
"You're not that sneaky, Junebug," Lacey calls out to them as they start to shut her bedroom door, fighting off a small smile. Little does she know just how sneaky they really are.
"Or maybe you just got my missing hearing capabilities," Juno responds as they open up the door, no point in hiding the fact that they were checking on her. They step into the room, smiling at their sister as she lays sprawled out in bed, clearly having just woken up not too long ago. "Seriously, there must be some reasoning behind your enhanced hearing. I'm quiet as a mouse!"
"Mouse? I think you meant moose," Lacey responds right away, laughing as if she just told the funniest joke in the world and not repeated a joke for at least the tenth time. Yet Juno still laughs at it, happy to hear the same joke over and over, as long as they're hearing it from her. They sit down on the corner of her bed and Lacey reaches out to brush their hair back from in front of their eye, making Juno very lightly smack her hand away and cover it back. "Oh come on Junebug, you know I like your eyes."
"It's mottled and ugly," Juno shakes their head, knowing they won't be convincing her. Another years old argument between the two siblings that neither will budge on.
"It adds character," Lacey counters, making Juno roll their eyes. Thankfully, Lacey changes the subject before Juno can, knowing they won't believe her. "Why are you awake? No offense but you look like shit, and I'm supposed to be the resident sibling that looks like shit."
Juno lets out a sigh as they flop down onto the bed next to Lacey, who tries to shove them over as they take up too much space. They hold back a frown at how weak her attempt is to move them, not wanting to upset her. "It's not that early."
Lacey glances over at the clock on her nightstand, scoffing immediately, "Juno, it's 6 am."
"Small detail," Juno gives a wave of their hand, yet fights back a yawn. No need to make her worry about them and ask more questions that they won't be able to answer. "Just couldn't sleep."
"Neither could I," Lacey answers quietly, letting out a sigh. Juno turns their head to stare at her, watching as she stares up at the ceiling in silence for a minute. "Too much on my mind."
"Really? I didn't know you actually had things going on in there," Juno jokes, trying to push back the anxious feelings that arise whenever they start thinking too long about their sister's future. Lacey rolls her eyes at them, but they can see the way the corner of her lips slightly turn up as she fights back a laugh.
Wanting to change the subject, Juno sits up and claps their hands. "Well since you're already awake, let's go," they motion for her to get out of bed, only getting a groan of annoyance as she pulls the blanket over her head. Juno chuckles at her response and grabs the end of the blanket, pulling it completely off her. They have a joke on the tip of their tongue, yet hesitates when they look down at her frail body, barely holding on through the treatment as her cells attack each other. This…this is why they do everything they do.
"Just say it, I look awful," Lacey tells them, voice wavering and when Juno meets her gaze, they find tears starting to form already. "Don't lie to me, I have eyes."
"Hey, you got the hearing genes and I got the attractive genes," Juno teases her, resulting in Lacey throwing a pillow at them, but the sound of her laughter makes it worth it. They watch her for a few seconds, making sure she's not truly upset about this, before telling her their plan for the day. They reach into their pocket and pull out some coins, offering it to her. "Come on, we're going shopping today."
Lacey's eyes immediately light up in excitement at the guilty pleasure they both enjoy, making it immediately worth it for Juno. While most of what they earned will go into paying for her treatment…they'll be damned if they don't use a little to have a good day with her. After all, there's only two weeks left to do things like this with her.
And with that, we're halfway through the intros. Big thanks to Sexybonbon and Sinfonian Legend for Valletta and Juno respectively! Looking forward to working with these two and to have the last of our traditional career Districts introduced!
I'm gonna take a short (like couple week) break from working on this and Legacy. I just need a mental break from SYOTs and the culture around them. I'm fine, just need a little break from it. I'm still going to be writing, just stuff that is just for me and with my characters. Like I said, I'm fine, just a little too much pressure right now with SYOTs for me to want to work on them right now. No need to worry about me, I'm all good, just want a break and I'll be back before you know it.
RQ #6: Which victor's underwear do you think they stole? And if you can guess who Crow is, I'll give a bonus 15 points (he's connected to one of my previous stories).
Alright, I'll be back probably within a month with the next intro. It very well could be sooner if I get motivated to write them. All depends on where my motivation is. In the meantime, check out Victor Memoirs if you like my victors because I have a lot stockpiled with that and will be consistently updating that for a few weeks. See you soon.
