The most revolutionary thing one can do is always to proclaim loudly what is happening.

- Rosa Luxemburg

Velora Calico

Velora felt the weight of the world on her shoulders as she stepped out on stage. The relentless campaigning of the last few years had all come down to this moment, and she was not prepared to let it go to waste.

The bright lights unexpectedly burst through her eyes, striking her first. Had it been a couple of years ago, she may have jumped back in surprise, but today she didn't even dare flinch. Because it only took one moment of weakness, however minuscule it was, for the predators to pounce on her, and she had worked too damn hard for it to be snatched away now.

She glided toward the microphone at the centre of the stage, her pristine black heels moving with precision and grace. She patted down the black silk material that curved around her body and took a deep breath through her nose and back out through her mouth. Everything had to be perfect. And it was.

"Glorious Capitol. Citizens of Panem. Good evening." Her voice had lost all sense of its District twang, battered out of her by those who knew best. You had to be one of them, which she was not, but she had created a version of herself that was, and that was who she had to display tonight. "Tonight, I have a very special announcement to make. But first I wanted to thank you all. From those who have supported me since my election to the Senate to those who have stood by me when nobody else would, I could not have done this without you. Our campaign has been one built from passion, empathy, and an undying loyalty to what we know is right."

The loudspeakers were of no use as the crowd drowned out her voice with their cheers. Her raw emotion, her passion, her fight for change excited them, and she knew that because it sent a similar thrill rushing through her. She drew upon their energy, standing just a little bit taller. "We have been told for too long that the death of innocent children is justice. I say no more!" The crowd erupted; she couldn't see them, with all the lights, but she imagined them jumping up and down and throwing their fists into the air. Celebrating the movement that she herself had created, from the bottom up.

"As for my announcement…"

This was it. The moment she had fought for. The make-or-break moment that could mean the difference between hundreds of innocent lives lost or saved. She steeled her nerves, clutching her fists tightly at her side.

"I will be running as an independent candidate in this year's presidential election."

The crowd went wild.

It was like nothing she had ever heard before, a mixture of screams, shouts, and cries all in one. It was overwhelming; it was exhilarating; it was powerful. This was what she had created. A people who cared so deeply about her cause. A people who wanted to change the world by her side. She was empowered by their zeal because, with them behind her, she was given the authority to create change. That's all she ever truly wanted.

…

As soon as she had escaped from the crowd, she had thrown her heels to the side. Her dark curls had been slicked back into a bun, restricting it from its wild nature. She tore out the hair tie that was holding it back, allowing it to bounce freely atop her shoulders. She despised the way she had to change herself, but she knew that it was necessary.

No Capitol would elect a District girl.

And so she had to blend in because, although the systems deserved to be torn down, she could not tear them down from the outside. There was sacrifice to be had for every good cause, and Velora was more than willing to give up every ounce of freedom she had if it meant fighting for what she knew the world could be. No, what it should be.

"Oh, Velora, that was fantastic!" A voice cried, high-pitched and scratchy. She turned to meet Barnaby Lodge with a genuine smile spread across her face. He pulled her into his gangly arms, her head squished against his chest. They stayed there for a moment, just two friends cherishing the moment they had worked so hard for. "You know, I always knew you would run one day. I just didn't know it would be so soon. I mean, you would be the youngest president in history."

"One of many conventions I would be breaking." She chuckled, pulling away from him. "What are the reactions like? The media, the public, the crowd? What's going on out there?" She always relied on Barnaby for answers. If she was the heart and the soul of the campaign, he was the mind.

"The reactions are mixed. Certainly polarising, but when are you not? In fact, the reactions remind me very much of when you decided to run for the Senate. Many believed you brave; most believed you insane. But everybody was at least a little curious to see what you could do. Already they're saying it could do damage to the Prosperity campaign."

It's just as they expected, then. No violent uproar, but not complete enthusiasm either. She was glad because they had planned for this. She knew what to expect. "When do you think they'll call?"

"It could be any moment now. Winslow knows you will swing moderates to your side, and he also knows he needs those votes if he stands any chance in this election. For him to win, you're going to have to back down."

"Unfortunately for him, that's not going to happen."

"It sure as hell won't." He grinned, echoing his agreement.

Well, hello there! I hope you enjoyed that prologue, just a taste for what is to come and I am very very excited about this sub-plot.

An important note is that this is within a separate Verse from my other two SYOTs so all characters will be new. I will likely return to my other Verse at some point but this is a project that I am more passionate about for now.

Submissions are OPEN for this brand new SYOT. There is a list of slots that are currently reserved or taken on my profile. Please keep in mind that it's currently one per person so you may only reserve/submit one tribute. This rule is subject to change but that's how it is for now. Worldbuilding for my Districts is very loose and relatively similar to canon but if you have any concerns, feel free to shoot me a message and I'll help you out.

Detail would be helpful on the forms! I try to give every character a substantial arc and their time in the spotlight but this is significantly more difficult to do when I don't have enough to go off so just know that the more detail, the more chance you have of enjoying how I present your character.

Thanks all for reading! Excited to get going on this adventure.

- Neb