Aneira Emmer, 17.
District Nine.

"Aneira, are you ready?" Mother called, rapping her knuckles sharply on their door.

"Yes, Mother! Just give me a moment," Aneria responded, carefully folding her crocheting project. Placing it into its basket gently, she hurried out the door. As she did, Aneira nearly collided with their mother, who caught them by the arm with a laugh.

"There's no hurry dear, we're not going to be late," Mother said, smoothing her hair back even though it was all neatly done up. She was shocked that her mother had even bothered to come to get them- usually, it was a maid or another servant. Rarely was it ever Alithia Emmer herself, fetching her children.

"Are your brothers ready?" Mother asked, turning to peer down the hall toward their rooms.

"I checked up on them about half an hour ago, and they were ready."

Mother nodded, but it was like she hardly heard what Aneria had said, as she flitted off down the hall. With a sigh, they made their way down the steps into the front hall. It was plenty bright out- the weather was growing steadily nicer, which Aneira was thankful for. It meant she could go back to sitting outside and working, or reading, instead of being stuck in her room. It wasn't like she could complain, though. It was a blessing that their family was wealthy enough to heat their home during the cold months.

"Alright, out, out! Out the door!" Mother said, ushering Aneira's brothers down the stairs. They snapped out of their thoughts- if she had known mother would be in such a rush, they would've waited on the porch instead of upstairs.

"Mom, how long are we gonna be there for?" Vaughn asked, Aneira opening the door and holding it for their brothers.

"The whole thing. Duh," his twin, Vic, responded.

"Be nice, we've hardly even left the house," Mother said, following the boys out. Aneira trailed after her, ensuring the door closed behind them all. She knew there were still servants in the house, but still, they felt it necessary to be responsible on the off chance somebody tried to break in.

Soon enough Aneira was crammed into the carriage. She did her best to contain her skirt to their own space, but still, it spilled over onto Vaughn's lap.

"You're taking up my space," Vaughn sighed annoyedly.

"I'm sorry," Aneira responded, shrinking into the corner as best they could. "Is that better?"

"Fine."

Aneira sighed, leaning her head against the window and looking out over the fields. Her favourite time of year was when the wheat was golden, their stalks reaching high into the air to wave in the wind. She'd spent her younger years running amongst the golden seas without a care in the world.

(If only things could be that simple again.)

But how could they? How could things ever be so simple, when they were the eldest daughter of one of the most loved families in Nine? When their parents would do anything to ensure they held onto that, giving everything back to the District that showered them in love and adoration? Their parents were so attentive to the needs and desires of their District, and yet couldn't do the same for their children.

But how could she complain?

Aneira Emmer had grown up with everything she could've asked for, everything they could've wanted. Her parents doted on their children with money and gifts.

(All the wealth and gifts in the world couldn't replace a parent's presence though.)

Soon enough they were pulling up to the venue- a large, outdoor pavilion, decorated with flowers and leaves.

"You remember what we spoke about the other day, yes Aneira?" Mother asked, stopping her as the boys bolted out of the carriage.

Aneira stiffened- of course they did, how could they possibly forget? She knew that her parents wanted her to marry. They were doing Aneira a favour, letting her pick a suitable suitor, but of course, he'd need to be approved by their parents anyways. Even more preferably, she'd pick someone to help their father's mayoral campaign along.

"Yes mother, I do," Aneira nodded after a moment.

"Good. There should be plenty of options here tonight, so keep an eye out."

"I will."

Mother gave them a satisfied nod, stepping out of the carriage. Aneira followed, gathering her skirt to ensure it didn't drag in the mud- she'd sewn it herself, they couldn't bear to see such a pretty thing ruined.

The pavilion was even prettier the closer they got, the scent of the flowers strong, washing over them. There weren't many there yet- not even Father. But that was how the Emmer family tended to work, always first to arrive, and last to leave. Aneira found a spot at one of the large picnic tables, off in a corner out of the way. They weren't sure how to help, and so she'd ensure she wasn't in the way of anybody who did.

If only she'd brought her crocheting. Perhaps that would've made this a nicer wait.

Aneira watched the other attendees trickle steadily into the pavilion. Many of them were familiar to them, families who'd been rich as long as anybody could remember, just like their mothers. Just the same though, there were plenty of unfamiliar faces- donors of their father perhaps? Or maybe Vincent Emmer was only roping more people into the event to gain popularity.

It didn't matter to Aneira though. No, she had a duty to carry out- a reputation to uphold- and they would do whatever was needed of her.

Standing, Aneira made her way into the crowds of collecting people, greeting as many as she recognized. Plenty of people greeted them in response- even those she didn't recognize.

Everyone knew the Emmer family, it seemed. They couldn't escape it- eyes always on her, scrutinizing her every move, every word. Aneira had walked a tightrope their whole life, trying to uphold her family's values, to serve them right. They were everything to her, what else was she supposed to do?

What else would Aneira Emmer have if she gave every part of herself away?

(Nothing.)

"Miss, are you alright?"

Aneira stopped dead in their tracks- she'd hardly noticed she'd knocked right into a tall, gangly boy.

"Miss?"

"Oh, I'm sorry- are you okay?" Aneira finally blurted- how could she be so clumsy, so unaware as to walk right into somebody?

"Oh I'm just fine," the boy shrugged. "Are you okay?"

"Ah… um, I think so, yes," Aneira nodded. "Do- what's your name?"

"Declan, nice to make your acquaintance, miss," Declan responded, offering a hand with a grin. "I'd ask for yours, but I'm fairly sure I already know it."

"Oh… yes," Aneira nodded, taking his hand gingerly and shaking it. His hand was rough against hers- likely the hands of a farmhand, or labourer.

"Now are you sure you're alright there miss? You're lookin' rather pale."

"Aneira- call me Aneira, I insist." Aneira said. They tried to suck in a deep breath, but it was like the air never hit their lungs. Perhaps it was too crowded, but where could they go? It wasn't as if she could just leave, their parents wouldn't accept that.

"I think I can do that," Declan agreed. "How 'bout we walk."

Aneira nodded, and Declan took her arm, guiding them through the crowd toward the less busy sides of the pavilion. There, Aneira could feel the breeze on her face, blowing away the lingering heat of the crowd. Declan's hand was still on her arm, but Aneira didn't mind.

"Ah- thank you, Declan," Aneira spoke after taking a deep breath.

"No problem, Aneira. I'll uh- let you get back to whatever you were doin', I'm sure you're busy," Declan declared, taking a few steps back- he wasn't wrong, she had things to do. People to greet, and smiles to give.

(All her parents ever wanted was to spread good through the District- for their image, so they could feel good about themselves. Mother and Father spent money like it was nothing, no question, for what? What did they gain? They may have furthered their image, but they never came to understand what it meant to give. Because their parents missed the small things, little acts of kindness that everyday people performed because they were anything but regular people.)

"I wasn't really that busy. And I'd hate to inconvenience you further," Aneira replied, carefully taking a seat on the ground. "Please, return if you would like." Declan shook his head and wordlessly took a seat on the ground next to her.

(At least Aneira understood what her parents couldn't.)

(Maybe, one day she'd be able to show them.)

Forte Merino, 17
District Eight.

After cribbling down the last few words about her day, Forte tossed the book aside. Half the fun was looking for it every night like a scavenger hunt. As the book hit the floor, the apartment fell silent- her parents must've been out, probably down entertaining guests at the bar.

"Do we think it's a going out kinda night, Lolly?" Forte asked the small cat curled up in her bed, but Lolly continued sleeping. Forte reached over and scratched behind her ears, and the cat rumbled contentedly. "I think it might be."

"Suppose I have to find something to wear," Forte muttered, beginning to dig through the clothes draped over all of her furniture- half of it was things she'd made herself, and the other half things she'd found and bought. Forte was very pleased with her collection. It was something her eight-year-old self would've died for.

Plucking a few items out of the mess, Forte threw the outfit on, twirling in front of her mirror. It'd be just about perfect with her pink jacket if she could find it, and she continued ransacking her room, eventually finding it. She threw on the jacket and some jewelry, waving goodbye to Lolly before slipping out into the night through the window.

It wasn't too cold out even up the fire escape. Picking her way towards the next window over, Forte rapped her knuckles sharply on the glass.

In just a moment, the window slid open, Dolly's pale face peeking out at her. "Forte?"

"Sure is, who else would be knockin' on your window at this time of night?" Forte responded with a toothy grin. "Wanna go out?"

"Out? Where?"

"The casino?"

Dolly sighed, shaking her head. "I mean… only if you promise not to do something illegal, and get us kicked out. And only if we're back by twelve, I have to study-"

"Oh, boo studying! You need to cut loose missy!" Forte exclaimed, Dolly, moving aside so she could clamber through her window. "Let's get you dressed!"

"Okay- okay, but nothing too… revealing," Dolly insisted. Dolly had always been like this, as long as Forte could remember- a bit prudish and uptight, but she didn't mind a bit. Dolly was still a good friend, living next door to the Merino's since they'd moved in years prior, and Forte knew no matter what she wouldn't be going anywhere.

Tearing through Dolly's room, no calmer than a tornado, Forte quickly picked out a nice outfit- a pretty dress, short but not too short. She tossed it to Dolly, and as the other girl quickly dressed, Forte pulled a few rings and necklaces off herself to put on Dolly.

"There you go, how's that?" Forte asked, clasping her hands over Dolly's shoulders in the mirror.

"It's… nice. I like this dress quite a bit."

"That's probably because I measured it out and made it for you so it'd fit just right!"

"Oh yes, of course," Dolly nodded, twirling around. "Do you think it needs anything else?" Forte paused for a moment, squinting at her friend. It wasn't exactly flashy, but Dolly never liked outfits like that.

"Looks great to me!" Forte settled on, nodding enthusiastically. "C'mon, let's get goin'! While the night's still young!" Dolly didn't even protest, instead collecting her purse. Forte ducked through the window again, and Dolly followed suit a moment later, Forte offering a steadying hand.

"Where are we headed?" Dolly asked as she shut the window behind them.

"Hmm… dunno," Forte shrugged. "Why don't we wander til we find somewhere that we like?"

"Sounds good to me."

Forte grinned, and they set off down the escape- there were plenty of good gambling spots in Eight, even if most of them weren't very legal. She didn't mind though. Not everyone could run a ship as tight as her parents. It wasn't like Forte could gamble at her own parent's casino either- not that she wanted to, either. The Merinos, despite all their success in the casino industry, didn't want their only daughter to follow in their footsteps. Forte could hardly wrap her mind around why- she was just as successful as her father had been, and she was even younger than him when he'd started. Didn't they want their daughter to be wealthy, to know that even once they were gone that she'd be successful and wealthy?

(Why couldn't Forte follow their path without meeting resistance at every step?)

The Crescendo Casino was packed with people, as it tended to be on Saturday nights. Forte navigated through the crowd easily enough, Dolly's hand clasped in her own. They would've gotten to the poker tables much faster if every two steps somebody didn't stop Forte to talk to her. She didn't mind it a bit- Forte loved knowing everybody, loved finding a conversation no matter where she went.

"You doin' okay back there?" Forte called loudly over her shoulder.

"Fine enough," Dolly responded. "I must admit, I'm a bit afraid of getting lost in all this."

"There's no need to, Doll. I'm the easiest person to find anywhere I go."

Dolly laughed, as they made their way out of the bar area, and towards the game table. Most of the tables only had a single spot open here or there, but Forte found the table she wanted to be at quickly enough. It was filled with older men, the kind of people who never failed to underestimate her. They'd feel more inclined to bet more since they thought Forte would be an easy win. But that was hardly ever the case- she'd outplay them, and all of that money would be hers.

"I'm going there," Forte said, leaning down to whisper in Dolly's ear. "How much do you think I'll make off those guys?"

"Dunno, a lot hopefully?"

"That's what I like to hear, Doll!" Forte exclaimed with a grin. "Stay right here. I'll find you when I'm done."

Dolly nodded, and Forte set off for the game she'd had in mind. She sidled up to the table, and with none of the men looking her way, she cleared her throat loudly.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, do you mind if I join you for a round?" Forte asked loudly enough that she finally caught their attention.

"You? Join us?" one of the men barked a laugh. "What are you offerin'?"

"I'm glad you asked!" Forte exclaimed chipperly, pulling a stack of cash from her purse. "How about this?" Forte could feel their gazes eating her up- thinking she'd be easy pickings for them to prey on. The same man who'd spoken first gestured for her to sit, and Forte's smile only widened, as she plopped the stack of cash onto the table.

(What was fun without a little bit of risk, after all?)

Carefully, Forte hummed as she peeled each bill apart, counting as she went. It'd been a successful night- she'd quadrupled what she'd initially put down to play. She was fairly certain the men had complained to the management of the Crescendo, but they wouldn't find anything except the fact that Forte Merino had won fair and square.

A soft knock came at the door, and Forte swung her head around. "What's up?"

A pause, and then her father's voice came muffled through the door. "Did you screw some guys out of money at the Crescendo last night?"

"No, I won and took their money. I know the rules," Forte responded, and the door swung open. "I played fair and square, it was their fault for letting me sit at their table."

"Forte," Dad sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We've talked about this."

"Talked about what? Me playing a game by its rules and winning because I'm good at it?"

"No- well, yes."

"I'm not cheating Dad. They're just complaining because I'm some little girl who they thought they could beat easily, and that turned out not to be true, because I'm not a little girl, and I'm not as naive as they think I am."

"I understand that but-"

"But what? I'm just looking out for myself, just like you were when you started."

"You could come and work for me- I'd pay you just as much," Dad said, half pleading. "I just don't want you to get in trouble."

"I won't. It's not like I can rely on you and Mom forever, right? I have to make something of myself, and I'm plenty successful already," Forte responded firmly. "I'm okay where I am. Better than okay actually."

"Okay," Dad relented, deflating. "Okay, I can't stop you."

Forte turned her attention back to her winnings. Her parents had no leg to stand on, as they'd done the same things as teenagers. At least Forte could learn from their mistakes- and certainly, she'd surpass her parent's success in no time.

Forte didn't need her parent's path.

Not when she'd created her own.