And with the cast revealed, here's the next reaping! District One!
Velvereen 'VV' Corliett, 18
Although the reaping mornings for the designated volunteers of District One's Academy was usually reserved for them to be fussed over by the small make-up teams, Velvereen found herself instead looking after Connie. She never minded looking after her younger sister - besides, if she didn't, then who would? - but she knew deep down that she could never achieve on her own what the Academy's teams could.
She cursed silently at her parents - her father who was somewhere in the outskirts of One on business and her mother, spending whatever money her father earned away - for ruining what was the beginning of her legacy. Spending the morning with Connie would be more sentimental, undoubtedly, but a far cry from the grandeur that the Victors from One usually started with. Oh well. The fiercely loyal sister'll be a nice angle for a Victor.
Velvereen had dressed herself in one of the nicer dresses her mother had bought and then unceremoniously thrown to her eldest daughter when it didn't fit. It was a plush, green velvet minidress with bell sleeves. It added to her natural beauty, according to Connie. Her blonde hair was pinned back neatly in a bun and she did her best to apply some makeup sparingly. Like many of District One, Velvereen's talents were with weapons - not makeup applicators.
She fussed around the kitchen as she made a crude breakfast for them both. Velvereen knew the same old pancakes she made weren't particularly special enough for a reaping breakfast but, on a day where her nerves had begun to prick at her, it was all she could muster. Connie wouldn't complain - she never did. No matter how subpar whatever Velvereen could offer her was, Connie accepted it as if she were just grateful that her elder sister was trying.
Velvereen supposed that was why, without fail, Connie would ask for second and third helpings.
"D'ya think you'll do well in the Games?" Connie's question was earnest, indicative of how much the younger Corliett was worried.
Velvereen hummed, considering the question. She knew deep down it was bad to get her sister's hopes up, the volatility of the Games being far too unpredictable, yet she found the words leaving her mouth before she could stop them. "I hope winning is doing well," She said with a grin, laughing. "Because that's the lowest placement I'll accept."
"You better come back..." Connie's voice trailed off after her eyes lit up, betraying her emotions. Both sisters knew that, without each other, life at home would be lonely. That was why Velvereen hadn't moved into the volunteer's quarters in the Academy full time - nobody would be there to reliably look after her sister. "I don't think I could handle it."
She looked at her sister, noticing how Connie casted her face downwards. Likely, as Velvereen herself had done, she was imagining what that life would look like. Having more experience, Velvereen had stopped herself from indulging in such thoughts but she knew Connie wasn't as easily deterred.
"I will!" Velvereen made certain the determination in her voice could be heard, both for Connie and herself. "Just twenty-seven to get through and then you and I are in the Victor's Village."
"What about Ignis?" Connie's voice was hushed to a whisper, as if she were afraid the mentioned volunteer would jump out of nowhere. "Is he... is he really as big of a threat as the kids in my cohort say he is?"
Velvereen gritted her teeth. She had mixed emotions on her district partner, Ignis Hartshaw. Though she couldn't confirm the rumours - Ignis never seemed to indulge too many details to her, even as volunteers - she had to admire the ingenuity he possessed. Everyone in their cohort knew of the chaos Ignis could bring but nobody had quite considered the scale until volunteering year. One by one, whomever Ignis decided to take an interest in, trainees seemed to get less serious about chasing the coveted volunteer spots. Hell, even Kalliadorax had stepped down and he was the one Velvereen was certain would be her district partner.
Part of her got unnerved that he viewed her as weak, allowing her to remain headstrong about being the female volunteer. Velvereen saw it differently and reminded herself of it whenever the doubts came creeping in; she had avoided Ignis' advances and remained one of the only ones in their cohort that they couldn't get their fingers into. If she could survive Ignis, she could survive whatever the Capitol could throw at her.
"I don't know..." Velvereen shrugged, her voice trailing off. Doubting Ignis was surely a mistake - one she intended not to make - yet she refused to sell herself short. She was just as capable as being a Victor. Besides, she wasn't the last resort of a volunteer. "I'm sure he'll just piss off the meatheads from Two and they'll take him out before I have to."
Connie giggled a little as she rolled her eyes. "Meatheads from Two? That's if they send up meatheads this year..."
"Don't they always?" Velvereen laughed before shrugging. I hope they do. It'd make things easier. "I'm sure he'll piss someone else off and they'll just kill him."
"Would you kill them back? Y'know, for a revenge kill?"
Velvereen stopped for a second, shrugging and humming. "Depends who did it. Mercy's a good option too - how d'ya think the Outliers have Victors?"
She smirked, hoping the confidence she willed into it reassured Connie that everything was under control and that she would be crowned Victor.
Ignis Hartshaw, 18
Ignis had long since gotten bored of the Academy's makeup teams. They were, after all, prospective Careers that were never selected to be the volunteer. As stereotypes often went, those who were on the makeup team were some of the Academy's worse. Talented in other means, yes, but they scarcely held a candle to the top trainees. Ignis knew a lot of them too; some of the girls were from his own cohort who had failed to secure the volunteer spot and some were the ones from last year who shared the same luck. In any case, Ignis had slept with a fair number of them - all to secure their own triumph. Being the Victor, after all, was the one thing life in District One couldn't guarantee.
The incessant gossip of the makeup team soon bored them; they felt weakened just being close to them. Of course their skills with the brushes and makeup were essential to making his grand plan even greater, but their failures seemed to try and grab him to join them. Fortunately, he had other plans to be one of the greatest Victors that Panem had ever been given the privilege of knowing. All of that without needing some Quell to back him up, thank you very much.
"I've heard one of the twins plans to... congratulate you just before the reaping." Scoria's voice snatched Ignis from the imaginary, but soon to be future, scenario of his life. Their thoughts were the same every time; win the Hunger Games, infiltrate President Augur's inner circle and then begin the same wave of chaos that the Lanes of District One had been subjected to. Just as Ignis had done to old Mayor Essex, he would destroy President Augur's reputation from his bedroom - and enjoy watching every moment of it.
Velvereen rolled his eyes, moving to check the work the Academy team had done on his nails. It was no Capitol standard - that much was painfully obvious - but it was nice enough. They were sure some of the trainers from the Academy would scold them for lounging on a sofa but what was life if not to be enjoyed? Well, before the chaos ensued at least.
"Do you know which one?" He raised an eyebrow expectantly, barely taking his eyes of his hands. "If it's Rhoyde then I think he and I need to have a talk - he's been getting too needy."
"Isn't that what you wanted?" Scoria asked, a mirthful laugh filling the room. "To have the Marigold twins fighting over who can bed you the most?"
"Oh no, it is." And I'm having such fun with it. "But, really, Rhoyde's embarrassing. You have a go with him when I'm done and see how much you like it."
Scoria laughed again, shaking her head. "Me? With Rhoyde Marigold? Please, I'm sure he'd combust if he saw anything other than a dick."
"Then don't question me, Ria." There was a hint of sardonic teasing in his voice, laid on thick so Scoria wouldn't take offence. Though he cared little for what the girl truly thought about him, he knew someone helping him keep his web of lies in tact and untangled was a necessity and she had a role few could fill.
A silence settled between the two, broken only by the tapping on their cellular phones. Scoria was checking for Hunger Games updates as she did every year and Ignis was trawling Onedr trying to find new... lovers to entertain after he came back victorious. Providing he didn't get too enamoured by the beauty of the Capitol, of course.
"Have you seen her?" Scoria's voice, her question about their beloved district partner, breaking the comfortable mood the silence brought.
"No," Ignis snorted dismissively. Why Scoria seemed to care so much about the whereabouts of their district partner was beyond him. I hope she doesn't secretly expect her to come home... She'll be in for a shock. "She told me she'd probably be spending time with her little sister."
"And miss out on the makeup teams?" Even though Scoria seemed to adopt a devoid, dejected attitude to most things, even she seemed shocked that Velvereen was forgoing the makeup team experience. All of One's Victors had gone through the process. "Does she not want to win?"
"Well, when I'm your district partner, I'm sure it's easy to give up." He flashed Scoria a grin, eliciting one in return. "Besides, who cares? She'll be the first Career gone, let's be honest."
Scoria hummed. "Presuming you lead the pack?"
"First of all, that's a given," Ignis said, standing and walking over to where their signature red gloves were. Though their outfit was stellar and the makeup team had done wonders, nothing quite captured their essence like the red gloves did. "But, no, even if I didn't lead the pack, don't the girls from One usually die first?"
Ignis seemed to strike a nerve with Scoria who scowled, shaking her head. "A timeless stereotype? Really?" It only became a stereotype because it's true. "You know she's good with a rapier, right?"
They hadn't forgotten. Just like they had a good fix on most weapons the Academy had to offer, Velvereen had mastered the rapier. Whether or not she could be lethal with it was another story entirely, but Ignis knew better than to ignore it. He simply rolled his eyes and waved a hand dismissively.
"Scoria, do me favour and tell whichever one of the twins it is to get here ASAP - we've barely got time for a round two at this rate."
Velvereen 'VV' Corliett, 18
Balzador Yveson had been District One's escort for as long as anyone could remember. An aged man, his first tributes he brought to the Capitol were the duo that the Mockingjay had famously cut down in her reign of terror. Those of District One supposed he thought of them as expendable; the following years he brought Cashmere and Gloss to their deaths before bringing home his first Victor, Aglaia Edenrose. He seemed to be, for all intents and purposes, living proof of the Capitol's resilience towards the Hunger Games.
He was also a testament to the Capitol's technological advancements; since the 98th Hunger Games, he hadn't aged a day. Though everyone knew cosmetic surgeries were the reason behind it, in a vain district like One, envy replaced other emotions. Many of the older citizens wished they could have the beauty of the youth once more, gazing at the reapees who stood in front of the Justice Building. For them, Balzador was a reminder that such things were possible.
"Doesn't he look plain this year?" Dixie, the closest thing Velvereen had to a true friend, asked. Her eyes were still set on stage, watching the Capitolite prance around.
He looks plain every year. For a man who escorted the tributes of Panem's luxury district, Balzador never tried to amp up his fashion. Unlike Annaleia of Eight who used the district's industry to wear absurd fashion or Featherbelle of Three who often had electrics woven into her fabrics, Balzador never tried to embody District One. Instead, the citizens of One seemed to gain more attention in the Capitol for their looks. It was always amusing - if not embarrassing to wish for a new escort - and something that dominated conversation in One during the Games season.
"Who knew a Capitolite could make gold look boring?" Velvereen agreed with a small laugh, rolling her eyes at his poor attempt at dressing in the colour. "Like... it's shameful, really."
Velvereen tried to ignore most of the reaping's processions by whispering to Dixie or to some of the girls she trained with. Annabelle, Chiffon, Chenille and Diana were annoying at best, kept only close by as means to ends; much like the second mock Games where she had 'sacrificed' two of them to secure her spot in the top three.
She tried not to be too embittered when she remembered how Ignis had won the spring mocks, sniping her just after she betrayed Annabelle.
Velvereen hadn't heard the name of the girl who had been called. That, after all, mattered little in a Career reaping. Instead, she joined in with the tens of voices screaming that they wanted to volunteer. She, unlike the rest of them, had little to worry about. Balzador had been told explicitly who he was to select and, if he upheld it like he did every year, she would be escorted to the stage in due time.
She wasn't surprised to hear Chenille try and out-shout her, nor was she particularly thrown off with the way Diana tried to obscure her from Balzador's vision. As expendable as they were, the girls Velvereen associated herself with were also greedy and would willingly condemn her to a life of shame if it meant having the chance to be a Victor.
Their efforts, however, were all for naught; Balzador had caught sight of her quickly and motioned to the Peacekeepers exactly who he was looking for. Much like the escort, the Peacekeepers too had been briefed on who to choose. It took them no time at all to zone in on Velvereen and bring her to the aisle running down the middle. Had she been in a poorer district, Velvereen might be scared at how fast they got to her. Now a Career, however, she knew and reminded herself happily that it was just right that they worked so efficiently.
Revelling in the cheers of her district, Velvereen held her head high just like she had been taught to do. She made sure to walk with purpose, wanting everyone to see just how posed she was. As many from One had done before her; the more posed and collected she looked before the Games, the more impressive the shock was when she revealed she could kill just as good as anyone else. The deadly pose of a beautifully constructed façade; just how District One had won all of it's games before.
That being said, she took Balzador's hand with some determination, letting him guide her to the stairs. As much as she found his outfit amusing and his mannerisms too dull for a district with the calibre of One, she knew he was a key to sponsors and she made sure to reflect that. She flashed pretty smiles at him, laughed at some comment he made about the blondes from One being on a whole different level and even gave him a twirl when asked.
"And what is your name, my love?" My love? I better get some good sponsors.
"Velvereen Corliett."
Balzador smiled before taking her hand, raising it above her head and presenting her to District One. Not too dissimilar to the way she had been proclaimed as the volunteer all those months ago.
"Your female tribute, Velvereen Corliett!"
Velvereen noticed her name sounded different on the Capitolite's tongue, his accent blending sounds in ways she hadn't heard before.
She presumed she needed to get used to it; when she won, her name would be her greatest asset.
Ignis Hartshaw, 18
Watching Velvereen take to the stage was harder than Ignis had anticipated. Not because she looked as plain as ever without the work of the Academy's makeup teams, no, but rather because she was taking her time. She, just as they had all been taught in District One's Academy, was trying to maximise her spotlight. Unfortunately for her, however, her time in the spotlight impeded on their's. Ignis watched as she smiled at Balzador, eagerly shaking his hand before turning to the rest of One and beamed. Keep it up. You'll be outstaged soon enough.
They had, of course, probed Velvereen to find out what she planned on doing when she got onto the stage. Though they had faked it as being a supportive district partner, Ignis had no real interest. Instead, it was all a ploy to determine if they would remain the favoured tribute from District One. The girl had alluded to nothing in particular - mainly being the beauty from One that any of the girls from the Academy could play - and followed it to a T. Ignis smiled, knowing his plan would remain in tact past the first hurdle of the Games.
Ignis yawned as Balzador strolled to the bowl containing the male names. Everything had been so meticulously planned that all they needed to do was raise their hand, maybe shout about volunteering a few times, and then their plan could be put into place. Balzador barely returned to his place before shouts of volunteering started again. Ignis wasn't surprised to see some of those he had bedded to remove them from the race try and cling onto the hope of volunteering. He was sure, after strict and shameful conversations with their parents since the Selection Ceremony, many of them were trying to restore their glory.
As they had done, Ignis made sure to undermine them as they did the bare minimum and still be correctly chosen by Balzador.
Some would be unnerved by the silence of being chosen. Usually, in a Career District, volunteers were met with shouts and cheers, being seen as the best the district can offer. Though he gained no such love as Velvereen did, Ignis refused to let themself get undeterred. I am their last option, after all. They smiled to themselves as they walked to the stage, moving to put their signature red gloves in the zip up pocket of their pants. Once I have the Capitol's love, One's will come soon enough. He found it cute that, even though she had been met with cheers, Velvereen stood on the stage, unnerved by the lack of reception her partner received. Her eyebrows were knitted in a way that Ignis had come to learn meant she was concerned. He may have appreciated the sentiment, had it not been for the fact they were enjoying that she was making herself look weaker whilst they remained unbothered.
Instead of taking Balzador's hand to be led to his place on stage, Ignis smiled at the mayor as he reached for the tin of black paint, just obscured from the view of the Capitol's cameras. Such last minute arrangements were usually hard to come by but, as Ignis demanded, their chaos ensured they got. He took his place on the other side of the escort before pulling the lid off, letting it drop unceremoniously to his side, then pouring the black paint over their reaping clothes. It was a shame to ruin such nice clothes but, once they had one, replicas could be made at the drop of a red glove.
Smearing the paint over his clothes and body, Ignis simply smiled and relished in the unrefined attention he was getting. Unlike Velvereen who felt like she needed to, Ignis didn't need to focus on his beauty to get him sponsors. He was from One - looking good was a birth right. He, instead, would ensure that those in the Capitol and the unfortunate tributes who'd have to die for his crown saw him as a threat. A predator. Much like the people around him, Ignis cared little for the clothes he was ruining; he'd ruin so many more clothes if it meant everyone knew not to take their chances with him.
His display had stunned Balzador into silence, awe painting his features. Ignis' smirk only grew as they let the tin of paint fall to the floor next to them. Have the Peacekeepers clean it up - it'll be an honour, a story to remember after I've won.
"And your name?" Balzador's words were less smooth than they had been with Velvereen. It seemed, correctly, Balzador had been charmed by Ignis, rather than trying to charm him.
"Ignis Hartshaw" Your future Victor.
Balzador presented Ignis the same as he did Velvereen, though he pulled hankerchiefs to cover his hands. Ignis decided to still make sure he felt Balzador's skin, knocking a hankerchief or two away.
"Your male tribute, Ignis Hartshaw!"
District One began to clap a beat too late, all still stunned by the entrance Ignis had treated them to. It was spectacular, undeniably so, but unlike a tribute from One. Ignis didn't need to look at anyone in particular to know that the eyes were on him. Not Velvereen - him. Hell, one glance at poor old Mayor Lane and Ignis knew that these Games were as good for taking as anything.
Child's play, really.
Ignis knew that Velvereen could be a threat - she, after all, had been too headstrong to be worth their time to dissuade from walking into her death - but what was she compared to them? A pretty, blonde girl from One neatly dressed in her best fashion to keep an appearance of perfection versus themself; eager to show sponsors that making a mess was all part of the Hunger Games. They had tried to be gracious to her before, subtly telling her that she should be unpredictable and see how it went. It had gone over her head, despite them being attached at the hip by that point for months on end, and Ignis could only shrug.
Still, Velvereen being on his side was a necessity. She could be his dutiful second-in-command, giving her purpose whilst keeping her wrapped closely to their red gloves. It was for those thoughts that Ignis smiled as they shook her hand, knowing his grand plan was already falling into place. They could see how conflicted she was in touching his blackened hand, wincing only slightly at the cold, wet feeling. In a split second, not wanting to show any weakness, her grip tightened and she gave their hand a firm shake.
"District One! Your tributes, for the 115th Annual Hunger Games - Ignis Hartshaw and Velvereen Corliett!"
And there we have our first Career duo!
Both of them have more to them that meets the eye, hence the title of this chapter - machiavellian and façade!
Thank you so much to Paradigm of Writing and Sharko Kitty for Ignis and Velvereen respectively!
(I also hope we liked the pun of Onedr being One's Tinder and being said like wonder oops)
Until the next time!
- Oli