12 years ago

Falcon Smith (39)- Minister for the Intra-Panem Relations

A peaceful night has fallen over an equally peaceful District 4. From my room, I can hear only the rhythmic crash of waves. I'm not used to it, to this peace. In the Capitol, people are used to partying till late… and what a noise they make! Hundreds of guffawing, plastic-coated fishes lost in a river of perpetual city lights. But, if I open the curtains now, all I can see is an undistinguished, dark mass… actually, the dividing line between the sea and the solid ground is visible only thanks to the full moon, which casts its silvery beams on the water and the surrounding roofs. Is this peace that prevents me from sleeping? Or is there something else?

Ah, you must think only about your duty, about why you are here! But why am I here? Why should a Capitolite spend a night in District 4? Well, as the Minister for the Intra-Panem Relations, I represent the central government in the districts, and the government has to be present, when there's a catastrophe… in this case, a tremendous seaquake, which caused widespread damage, deaths, and injuries. I came to District 4 this morning to see what happened, and I'm returning to the Capitol tomorrow. President Snow was too busy to come with me but, as he said the day he appointed me, "the districts should trust you, you've got a reassuring face". I still don't know what he meant by "reassuring face", maybe he was referring to the fact that, unlike many Capitolites, I have never got plastic surgery. Anyway, I'd rather have been assigned a different Ministry, something that doesn't imply direct contact with the districts… but who would dare to say no to President Snow, especially when he watches you with those snake-like eyes of his?

Suddenly, I hear some light steps in the corridor and a knock at my door immediately afterwards. I go to open it and wish I wouldn't have done it. It's Nanako Yu- a beautiful woman with almond-shaped eyes and bowl-cut, raven hair. Her eyes are really peculiar- pitch-black but with some kind of blue shade, like a wisp in a dark abyss. The only flaw I can find in this woman is her short stature… and that's precisely the problem. Nanako is part of the group that has organized my visit to District 4. Since I've got off the train, she hasn't been able to take her wonderful eyes off me. It's disturbing, but somehow flattering... nevertheless, I know deeper down that I shouldn't feel like that, and this nocturnal visit suggests a kind of intimacy in which I don't want to indulge.

"Mrs. Yu," I say, greeting her with a certain unease.

"May I come in?" she asks me.

"I don't think you should," I promptly answer.

She smiles, though, gazing at me with searching eyes. "You think I shouldn't, but what do you feel I should do?"

"I've got a wife and two sons," I say, defensive.

"Mr. Smith, I don't mean to ruin your marriage. Besides, if you really care about social conventions, you'd better let me in; someone could see us, and what would they think?"

Dammit!

"Nothing, because you'll leave now," I reply, trying to sound as harsh as possible… but something in my voice betrays my true feelings, and Nanako enters the room, gently pushing me aside.

I close the door. She takes off her shoes and sensually lets her coat fall to the ground, revealing that she's wearing just a lacy, blue vest underneath.

"I don't want… I…" I stammer.

"Your tongue says no, but your eyes say yes," she rebuts.

"And what about that Ren?"

"Mr. Laine? Oh, he's a caring man, but… you know, it's not the same," she says, while getting closer.

"It's not the same, indeed. You cannot feel the same for a man who won't see you again after tonight, and for one who lives near you and who is sincerely in love with you," I point out.

Today, I've met Ren Laine for the first time, and yet I've immediately understood what he feels for Nanako. His affection for her is evident, no matter how hard he tries to hide it not to make things awkward. He's probably the kind of man who struggles to take initiative, especially in love. I almost pity him, he looks like a clumsy teenager… definitely not like a real man should look like, and considering that he should represent his district… well, not a good impression.

"Distance? Is that the only problem for you?" she languidly asks me, interrupting my thoughts.

"It's a problem from any possible perspective," I answer.

"How tragic!"

"It cannot happen, that's it."

"Why not?"

"You know why."

"Your wife won't find it out, unless you tell her, and I don't think you will."

"I will tell her nothing, because nothing will happen."

"I want you, Falcon, just for one night, no strings attached, that's it. Isn't that the forbidden dream of every man?" she insists, getting even closer.

She's so close now that I can smell the sweet perfume she spayed on her bare neck. It must be vanilla, and, despite myself, it enchantingly excites my senses. Gorgo never uses perfume. Actually, the quality I most appreciate in my wife is her rigour, so why am I attracted by a woman who's the exact opposite of her? Languid, shameless creature! It's true that Gorgo is often busy with her work * and that I haven't seen her for months, but that's not an excuse, I shouldn't… why don't I feel guilty when I eventually dare to touch the fragrant flower that stands half-naked before me? Her bare neck, her delicate shoulders that shudder at my touch, her… well, maybe I shouldn't think too much of what I'm doing, maybe I should just let it happen and preserve these adulterous recollections in the secrecy of my memory…

…...

A couple of days before the Reaping

Olivia Simmons (17)- Citizen of District 4

I'm staring at the blank ceiling, while lying on my bed. My room is scarcely illuminated by the light that comes from outside, since the curtains are drawn. My eyes are open, but they're actually watching nothing in particular, and only the arrival of my little sister Jasmine interrupts this nothingness.

"Mum wants you to lay the table for dinner," she says.

I get up almost mechanically. I hate the dull humdrum that my life has become. Anyway, I follow my sister in the kitchen. My mother is cooking, and unfortunately the smell is not inviting.

"What are you cooking?" I ask her.

"Fish soup. Now, lay the table, please," she answers, without taking her eyes off the boiling soup.

I snort. Fish… despite coming from District 4, I don't like it very much.

At some point, she quickly takes a look at me, before resuming her cooking. "You should really get a haircut," she comments.

I instinctively look at my straight, dirty blonde hair. I don't remember the last time I had it cut; in fact, they're now elbow-long.

"What for?" I reply, shrugging.

"For the Reaping."

"That's not a good reason."

"Yes, it is, instead. Everyone should be at least presentable. You look too wild like that, Olivia, someone could think that you're homeless," she rebuts.

"Yes, you're right, I don't want to embarrass my family, in case I get reaped," I say, defiant.

In response, my mother turns to me, annoyed. "That's not the point, Olivia!"

"That's precisely the point!" I shout back and then leave the kitchen in a fury.

"Olivia! Come back!"

Oh, I'm not going to come back, that's for sure… not immediately, at least. I go out and head to the shore. My father is a fisher, and all fishers live near a shore in Four, so I don't have to cover great distances to reach my destination. I make the wooden steps to go down to the beach in a single bound. Once there, I take off my shoes and start walking barefoot on the warm sand till I reach the sea. I let the gentle waves wetting my pale feet, while gazing westward at the setting sun. A fresh breeze is now ruffling my hair. I sigh. The beauty of nature fails at soothing me. Everything has changed, and I don't like it.

"Everything okay?" asks a voice behind my back.

I turn around. Jasmine has followed me.

"Nothing is okay," I answer.

"Why do you say that?"

I almost grunt. "Why? That's a good question! Why? Well, I'm disappointed, I suppose. During the rebellion, we fought for a better life, and now… now, everyone just pretends nothing happened! Finnick Odair was a symbol of hope, and now we don't even dare to whisper his name!"

"Is it because mum wants you to cut your hair for the Reaping?" she goes on.

"That's just the tip of the iceberg, Jasmine! Mum wants us to look presentable, but a well-dressed slave is always a slave!" I rebut.

"She just wants us to make a good impression," she replies, a little intimidated by my angry voice.

"She's just a coward, like the rest of this district. District 4 fought for its freedom as a lion would do, but now… since the rebellion failed, people have just returned to be the lapdogs of the Capitol, eager to lick the hand of their master! Things have changed, but I won't let them change me! I'm determined to stay the same, and I'm going to stand up against all this first chance!"

That said, I turn again to the foamy waves and the setting sun.

…...

Present day

Izumi Laine (12)- Citizen of District 4

I've dreamt of hugging my mother, but, as soon as I wake up, the warmth of this act is soon replaced by the sad coldness of my bed. My eyes and cheeks slightly burn, because I've been weeping while sleeping… again. I wipe away the remaining tears, if any. I yawn and stretch. Today, we're allowed to stay in bed a little bit longer than usual, since there's no training. But no training doesn't necessarily mean that we have a free day. Today, there's the Reaping. Since the very end of the war, District 4 has gathered all the orphans of important families together as a sort of initial pool for the academy. Anyway, I don't think there gonna be volunteers this year.

Our dorm is adjoined to the academy, where we have school, we train, and we also have our meals in a canteen in common. The meals are not that abundant, but they're well-balanced, designed to develop our bodies. I like mealtime, it's the only moment of day in which I wouldn't like to be anywhere else but here, the only moment in which I forget that I'm an orphan, the only moment in which I really enjoy the company of my friends.

Immediately after breakfast, we head to the main square all together. The elder kids help our overseers to guard us, which is not always a good thing, since many of them turn out to be bullies. I know of my own experience what hazing means. There's a boy, Jeff, who has targeted me, and he's teasing me also today.

"I wonder what you'll do when you get reaped, you gnat… cry and call your mama? No, wait, you already do this every day!" he says at some point.

"Leave me alone, Jeff!" I reply, glaring at him.

"Uh, if you show those eyes, maybe you'll get some sponsors… out of pity!" he continues, laughing.

"I can't help it, if I'm adorable!"

Jeff watches me, puzzled. I can't help it, if I'm adorable!? Where does this come from? Luckily, an overseer comes to separate me and my bully.

"Always bickering, you two!" she comments, shaking her head in disapproval.

When we reach the main square in front of the Justice Building, we present ourselves to the peacekeepers and join our respective sections. Mine is the furthest from the stage, but I feel oppressed by it, by what it represents, nonetheless. My very first Reaping… will I be able to survive it?

Mayor Litore ** mounts the stage. He makes a monotone speech about the necessity of the Hunger Games and reads the Treaty of Treason. I cannot tell by his voice if he believes in the Games, or if he's just putting a good face on it. Probably the latter. When the mayor finishes speaking, the escort from the Capitol takes control of the stage, eager to move to the actual reaping of tributes.

"Well, everyone knows the importance of the Hunger Games, but I thank Mayor Litore for highlighting it. And now… let's call the tributes of this year onstage!" he chirps.

The escort starts with the girls. "Jasmine Simmons!"

"I volunteer!" someone shouts immediately afterwards.

From my position, I cannot see very well what's happening onstage, but I hear that the girl who volunteered presents herself as Olivia Simmons. She must be the sister of the reaped girl. I don't know her, but I cannot help but admire her courage. Not everyone would volunteer for someone else, even if it's for a relative. I wonder what you feel when you're loved that much.

"Izumi Laine!"

What? The escort has... no, it can't be true. Before I can compose myself, a peacekeeper drags me out of my section. I reluctantly mount the stage.

"Come on, dearie! Don't be afraid, I don't bite!" the escort encourages me.

Now, I can see him. He's a young man with spiked, golden hair and heavy makeup. He's wearing a dark blue unitard with fake starfishes stuck on it. Even my district partner with her wild, long hair looks more human-like than him.

"Does anyone want to volunteer?" asks the escort, but no one answers. "We shall be content with one volunteer, then…"

"Oh, come on! You're happy to have a bloodbath as a tribute! It's so thrilling, isn't it? Now, put an end to this ridiculous pantomime and move on!" my district partner interrupts him.

The escort, clearly baffled, resumes his talk: "Ahem, as I was saying…"

"Have you listened to me? Cut it out!"

The crowd seems to be enjoying this exchange. In fact, you can hear some chuckles.

Eventually, the escort says: "The tributes of District 4, Olivia Simmons and Izumi Laine! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"

We immediately enter the Justice Building, accompanied by the BOOs of the crowd. The peacekeeper at the waiting room's door asks me if I want to get visits. I shake my head, I don't want to see my friends in this case. I don't want them to see me now, to see how afraid I am. In fact, my entire body is shaking like a leaf, I could compare myself to an earthquake with two legs. When I'm finally alone, I sit in a coach, because I feel too dizzy to stand. I'm going to the Capitol for the Hunger Games… yeah, the Capitol… for good or ill, I will face my destiny there. Oh, if my mother could be there with me! She'd know what to say... I think, as tears start running down my cheeks. I miss Ren, too. He was a good man. He married my mother even though she was pregnant with another man's baby. Actually, I might meet my real father in the Capitol, but, if so, what should I tell him? Would he acknowledge me as his son? Does he even know that he had a son with Nanako? Does he even remember her? Would he see me as his son? Or would he just treat me as another lamb to immolate? I don't know whether I'll be allowed to speak to him face to face, but the bare possibility of seeing him makes me shiver. Maybe if the whole nation knew who I am, I'd stand a chance in the Games. Would the Capitol let the son of President Smith die, if they knew the truth?

…...

Olivia Simmons (17)- District 4 female tribute

Yes, Olivia, you did the right thing… you volunteered for your sister, and you also got a little revenge... I keep telling myself, as I'm pacing back and forth, eagerly waiting for my family to come. And they come, eventually, teary all of them.

Jasmine immediately hugs me. "Please, Olivia, don't go! I don't want you to go!"

"I have no choice," I reply, breaking her embrace to watch her right in the eye. "But you don't have to worry about me. Someone who can defeat me has not yet been born," I add with a reassuring smile.

"I want you to have this as a district token," she goes on, handing me the necklace she once made with a twine and a white pearl I had found for her.

"Thank you, sis, I'll keep it with me the whole time," I say, caressing her cheek.

My parents are less gentle than my sister. They don't want me to die, of course, but they scold me on the way I behaved onstage.

"What were you thinking of? That's precisely the kind of behaviour that could get you killed!" says my mother, desperate.

"I don't think so. As a matter of fact, the Capitol loves bold tributes," I rebut with a shrug.

"So now you're interested in what the Capitol thinks," says my mother in a disapproving tone.

"Not at all. I just want to show them that they cannot do whatever they want, that they should't take it for granted that no one in the districts react," I reply, trying to sound as calm as possible, which is really hard, since I feel like a volcano ready to blow.

"Your words are dangerous," my father warns me.

"I know it. But I'm not going to turn into a puppet without feelings just because it would please them! They can force me into their cruel Games, but they will never change me!"

"Please, Olivia, be careful what you say and to whom you say it… we want you to come back to us alive," he begs me.

"It's for your own sake," adds my mother, putting one hand on my shoulder.

"I'll do my best to survive, that's all I can promise you," I say.

"That's all we want you to do," replies my father with a sad smile.

And another Reaping is done, thanks to Katie Blake (Olivia Simmons) and santiagoponcini20 (Izumi Laine) for submitting these tributes. What do you think of their behaviour?

As you can read, Izumi is linked to one of my characters. I take this opportunity to repeat that the tributes and sponsors you submit can be linked to my AU characters. The list of possible references is on my profile. I think it's a good way of interacting with my stories, also because it may help to see a character in a different light.

Thank you for reading :)

*When the flashback takes place, Gorgo Smith is still working as a peacekeeper in District 2 (but she's a Capitolite)

**This character was introduced in Love Is the Deadliest Weapon chapter 6 (D4 Reaping), where he's still the mayor but also the foster father of the male tribute of District 4 (Oliver Litore, the Distant Brother)