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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 17, 2019 16:45:28 GMT -5
Burton Acton
And either victory, or else a grave
“Well I guess strictly speaking, since you just mouthed it, you didn’t technically speak out. But the sentiment was there,” he joked before adding, in response to her question “I don’t know, it raised my spirits a little despite everything. The slaughterhouse is a little less terrible if you know you’re not the only one who feels the way you do about it. God knows the Careers worship the Capitol and everyone else is too scared to say anything.”
At her next words and her Capitol imitation, he laughed a little.
”A tribute colony would still be better than anywhere else in Panem. But you’re right, they’d throw a dumb hissy fit and we’d end up with like two Games a year or something because one just isn’t enough, probably.”
He went along with her Capitol accent, doing one of his own.
“Oh, no, the odds are actually in their favour? We simply can’t have that.”
He returned to his own normal voice though and tilted his head as he looked at Holly. He was trying to remember anything else he could about her from the reaping. He couldn’t remember if there had been any family there for her, like there had for him.
“So, did you get any visitors?” he asked, decoding that was he best avenue to proper discussion. He wanted to find out more about this girl. |
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 17, 2019 16:45:46 GMT -5
Okay I should probably go to bed now XD I’ll be back in the morning)
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on May 17, 2019 17:16:52 GMT -5
 - - - - - Holly AlandriaHolly nodded, she completely agreed with that sentiment. Her green eyes focused on him, a bit of seriousness in her gaze. “Everyone is afraid of losing if they speak, but they fail to realize that silence causes us to lose everything we hope to keep.” She said, glancing from him to the windows. “The careers think they will win because they can train, but ultimately their trust in on another is their downfall, they all turn on one another,” She added on, “But they are the pets of the Capital, can’t really expect them to care.”
”I know, right?” She smirked, arms crossed as she looked back at him, “Imagine the looks on the Capital’s faces when the Districts and tributes decide they’ve finally had enough.”
She laughed at his imitation, chuckles running from her, “You’re imitation isn’t half bad,” she commented.
She glanced at him when he tipped his head, placing her elbows on her knees, leaning forward with her chin resting on the back of her hands, cross legged. She waited for him to finish, her gaze narrowed.
She contemplated lying, but she already felt obligated to tell him the truth. But she wasn’t about to be sappy about it. “Nope. Just me, myself, and I.” She didn’t sleep much, she never tended to. She didn’t feel like giving a life story either. She didn’t want him to use this against her in the arena, but she doubted he would. “What about you, were those little girl your...” she trailed off, treading carefully, she didn’t want to upset him, no matter how blunt or cruel she could be.
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Post by Hawkeyes258 on May 17, 2019 21:56:38 GMT -5
So what's going on?)
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Post by Sparky on May 17, 2019 23:06:08 GMT -5
[ so I think everyone's doing some background posts for their characters(which are achieved by the reapings) and I think Burton and Holly are becoming allies now xD ]]
edit: Hi! ]]]
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Post by Sparky on May 18, 2019 0:00:04 GMT -5
The Reaping -
The day had come. She could tell by the worried, voiceless whispers drifting from the kitchen. She could tell by the simple fact that her body was awake before it needed to be. Her bones were comfortably aching, and she stretched pleasantly in her bed. If only I could wake up like this every day, she thought.
But then she remembered. There was a reason why the entirety of District Eleven had no work today. Today was the Reaping, and by about this time tomorrow two unsuspecting children between the ages of 12 and 18 would be at the Capitol. A week would pass, and then all of Panem would be forced to watch these two children fight among dozens of others in a gladiator style fight to the death.
Today was the beginning of suffering for numerous families across Panem, and Destiny was determined that hers would not be among them. She floated out of bed, casting aside her wool blanket and pacing quietly to the bathroom. There, she stole a few precious moments before her siblings awoke to shower and get dressed for the special occasion. It wasn't long after she exited the bathroom when she began to here the general buzz of noises that signalled her family and others waking up. Destiny walked into the hallway and towards her younger siblings' rooms. There were her two younger brothers Foster and Daniel - aged 16 and 14 respectively - and then there were the twins, Diana and Beatrice.
Suddenly, a fist clenched inside of her, making her stumble slightly and brace the wall with her hands. The twins were 12... this was their first year of vulnerability. For the only time, every single child in the Ghere family would be at risk. All five of us, she thought, entering the twins' room.
"You're awake?" Beatrice whispered, already dressed and ready to walk out the door. She put her finger to her lips, signifying that Diana was still asleep.
"Shouldn't I be the one asking that question?" Destiny whispered in response, smiling before kneeling down to embrace her. "Looks like you're all ready to go..." she said, her voice wavering. She didn't want to mention the occasion, but of course her younger sister knew. "How bout' you wake up the others? I think I'm going to have to go explain probability to mom and dad." She lowered her voice greatly before saying her last words, "I think they're sobbing in the kitchen."
Beatrice smiled slightly. It seemed that Destiny's confidence was rubbing off on her. There was no need to worry when the odds were so slim, right? "Yeah, I heard them talking about how we're all not safe this -"
"Woah woah woah, we're completely safe. Don't forget that our family has never had to take any tesserae since Grandma's generation." Beatrice laughed, but in trying to conceal the noise she ended up not breathing for a solid minute and becoming red in the face. Destiny proved unable to conceal her laughter as well, and they were interrupted by groans from a now waking-up Diana. "I'll go make breakfast," Destiny said, "And remember, we'll be perfectly fine."
- - -
Destiny stood quietly in the odd-smelling crowd of District Eleven, peering up at the video that never failed to play each and every year at the Reaping. Useless propaganda, she thought, knowing that saying such a thing out loud could get herself killed. It didn't matter. What mattered was getting through the day. She found herself going through a list of friends that had increased odds because of their need to take out tesserae. Please don't be Emily, she thought, silently praying as she listened.
The escort trotted over to the first glass bowl - the 'ladies' - and plucked out a slip of paper. Or Jorja, she's had to take out so many....
"Destiny Ghere!" The escort called, spinning the young girl into a heap of confusion. ME? She internally punched herself for hesitating, and made her way to the stage confidently - successfully hiding her inner fear. There was no point in denying the situation, but there was also no point in denying total failure. She breathed deeply, composing herself as the male tribute was called. Quickly she scanned the crowd and spotted her parents, who were collapsed in tears and being comforted by others. A bullet of emotions shot into her at the sight of them, and she jerked her head away immediately. If she shed a tear on camera, her chances of survival plummeted.
Everything from now on was a game, and she was ready to play.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 1:47:17 GMT -5
Burton Acton
And either victory, or else a grave
When she complimented his imitation, he smiled and did a mock bow before responding “Thanks - yours was good too.”
He hoped he hadn’t hit a sore spot when she said she didn’t have any visitors, but the way she said it seemed like she didn’t really care about it. He wasn’t sure that she actually felt that way about it but he wasn’t going to pry
“Ah, Sorry,” he responded “Or maybe you prefer it that way, which I’d totally understand given our situation.”
When she mentioned his sisters, his stomach twisted. But he didn’t show it; he wasn’t going to get upset and he wasn’t going to let her feel like she’d made a mistake in asking him a perfectly reasonable question that he’d just asked her.
“My sisters,” Burton said with a nod to finish her question “Lea is fourteen, nearly fifteen and Twylla just turned thirteen. They came to visit me with my parents, yes. They’re sweet girls, they were devastated, and I told them I’d try to win for them.”
Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to continue along this topic since it clearly wasn’t a happy one for either of them.
“So, how do you feel about your chances in these Games, then?” |
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 1:48:09 GMT -5
Aww Sparky that was a really sad post, poor Destiny. I like her though she seems sweet)
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Post by Hawkeyes258 on May 18, 2019 2:16:23 GMT -5
Darius felt his heart drop when his name was called. He hesitated for a few seconds before making his way through to the stage. However, just as he was getting close, Darius suddenly stopped. He didn't want to compete in these games! Why did they have to do this every damn year? For a few minutes, he thought about running away. If he was lucky maybe this would cause others to do the same!
His thoughts were interrupted when a Peacekeeper stepped forward and shoved him. "Keep moving or else!" He growled his tone cruel. He shoved him again for good measure until Darius gets on stage and stands beside Destiny. He glanced at her before searching the crowd for his family. He spotted his father and noticed that he had his fist close to his heart before putting it up in the air. Darius smiled feeling a little bit comforted. I just need to outlive the others. I can do this. I'll be the greatest victor district 11 has ever seen!
(He in fact does not become the greatest victor rip)
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 8:44:19 GMT -5
Astrape Vetton
This above all: to thine own self be true
And that was when she remembered, as her eyes fell on the dress her mother had laid out for her at the end of her bed; she must have snuck into the room while Astrape was asleep and, not wanting to wake the fourteen-year-old, had laid the dress out quietly and left.
It was the day of the reaping.
She got herself as clean as possible, so much so that her skin was pink with the scrubbing, before she donned the dress her mother had left for her. It was a dark navy colour, with white stars forming a pattern on the fabric. It was definitely the nicest dress that Astrape owned, and she put it on gladly. The joy she felt at being able to put on a nice dress for once almost made her forget why she was wearing it. Almost.
Once she was dressed, her mother entered, brandishing a brush. Astrape was perfectly capable of doing her hair on her own, but these past couple of years she had learned it was best not to deny her mother anything on reaping day. She was scared at the prospect of losing her only child, she wanted to care for Astrape to soothe her own nerves and calm her own fears more than anything else. So Astrape just smiled and agreed to letting her mother do her hair.
She didn't know where her father was, he usually got very quiet on reaping day and hid himself in some part of the house to think things over. Astrape understood that.
"You're going to look lovely," Astrape's mother said with a smile "and don't be nervous, you're not taking tesserae, the odds of you being chosen are tiny."
"I'm not nervous, mom," Astrape said softly "it's all going to be okay. You don't have to be nervous either."
Her mother seemed to give a grateful smile, and silently went back to doing Astrape's hair. It didn't take long before she was finished and Astrape's red hair was in two dutch braids, done with great care by her mother. The girl stood and thanked her mother before giving her a hug.
"Don't worry, mom," she said "we'll come home after the reaping and I'll help you make dinner like always."
That seemed to be enough to reassure both Astrape and her mother, at least a little bit.
And so the girl was accompanied by her parents to the square, where she left them to go and join the other children. She let them prick her finger like she had the last couple of years, though she still wasn't entirely used to it. She was then herded into the side of the sqaure to wait with the others.
There were the usual propaganda videos before the Capitol escort finally headed over to choose a girl's name. Astrape looked at the people around her, wondering who it would be that year. Hoping it wasn't any of her friends from school.
"Astrape Vetton."
She was shocked as the crowd parted, and she could hardly move. She stood rooted to the spot for a second before a beckoning gesture from the smiling Capitol representative on the stage brought her back to reality. She collected herself and began to walk up to the stage. She must have paused only for a very short time, but it felt like an eternity to her. She could hear someone crying, but it wasn't until she got onto the stage that she could see her parents. Her father had her arm around her mother, tears falling down his own face as Astrape's mother sobbed.
Maybe this wasn't so bad. She was incredibly unlikely to win, she knew that, but she had more of a chance than a twelve or thirteen-year-old. People simply didn't win that young. She could still be in with a chance, albeit a tiny one. Still, at that moment she was trying to focus on anything else than the attention of the crowd, all of whom had their gazes fixed on her. She hated that, hated it so much.
She breathed a silent sigh of relief at the Capitol escort headed over to choose a male tribute, and all attention was off Astrape. She knew that for the rest of her life, whether she died in the Arena or lived a long life as a victor, the attention of all of Panem would be on her. She wanted to enjoy the moment of relative peace now.
Astrape's reaping outfit, if anyone is interested
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 8:59:18 GMT -5
[Also, Sparky - I may move Amadrya onto the train if you want any rping between her and Ari? I don't know your thoughts for how you imagine their dynamic but if you want we can have them chat and figure that out]
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Post by Sparky on May 18, 2019 9:33:27 GMT -5
[ ooh that sounds fun. I might be a bit poofy though cause I'm in a hotel and waiting for my competition which starts at noon(it's 9:34 where I am right now) ]]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 9:36:35 GMT -5
[Ooh good luck with your competition! What's it for? Don't worry, I'm doing some revision for exams today so it's fine if your poofy  I will write a starter up for Amadrya on the train then] |
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Post by Sparky on May 18, 2019 9:41:35 GMT -5
[ Regional climbing championships(basically like 4-5 states having one big competition). Then it goes to divisionals -which is around 10 states- and then of course nationals. ]]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 9:42:12 GMT -5
[Wow that sounds really cool. Good luck to you! I hope it goes well]
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Post by Sparky on May 18, 2019 9:47:31 GMT -5
[ Thanks! and ugh, I think reading all of the reapings is even more sad already knowing who is going to win. Astrape trying to convince herself that not all hope is lost  ]] |
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 9:49:36 GMT -5
[Yeah I know, it is really sad  Astrape is just a positive person] |
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 9:56:51 GMT -5
Amadrya Darrow
The fire-eyed maid of smoky war
Now it was time to put emotion behind her, because the Games had begun the moment she was reaped. The other tributes would be watching her every moment from now on, as would the Capitol. She had to be careful.
She boarded the train destined to take her to the Capitol, and was directed to the compartment for District 7. This would be the first time she would meet her district partmer outside of the reaping. She had never spoken to Ari Casas before, did not know anything about him apart from that he was in the same boat. Perhaps that was all she needed to know. Either way, she hadn't been able to figure out much about him from their reaping, he had seemed largely emotionless.
Amadrya took a seat by the window and tried to make an effort to relax a little bit, as much as was possible given the circumstances. She undid the braid in her hair, letting the dark brown hair fall unimpeded. She generally preferred to have it up in braids to keep it out of her face but it wasn't like she'd be doing anything for a while, they would be on the train to the Capitol for ages now. Might as well make herself comfortable.
She looked up as the door to the carriage opened, and her district partner - Ari - entered. As she looked at him, she realised he had to be a couple of years younger than her. Not at his last reaping like she had been. She offered him a nod in greeting, gesturing to indicate that he should take a seat.
"Hi," she greeted "so, I don't know how this goes. Do we have to pretend we don't know eachother's names?"
It was slightly a joke, slightly serious too. She genuinely didn't know if it was more or less awkward to pretend they didn't know who the other person was. They were in the weird position of both knowing the other person without actually knowing them at all.
"Well, I'm Amadrya, anyway," she continued "Ari, right?"
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Post by Sparky on May 18, 2019 10:16:55 GMT -5
The Justice Building/Train -
Before Ari could think any longer about how he was going to die, a shadow passed over him. A looked up, smiling slightly as Jude's figure met him. She had come in silently, and it seemed as though no words needed to be spoken between them. Jude sat down next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. For a good three minutes they sat there, embracing each other and crying over the occasion. When she finally did speak, however, her words were harsh.
"This is bullshit," she spat, clenching her fists in his shirt. "Every year they do this and every year we let it happen."
"Now wait a minute," Ari said, turning to face her. His warm eyes took in her familiar appearance, yet now Jude's face was covered in streams of tears. "You're talking as if I'm already dead." With those words a fire lit inside of him. My odds may be slim, but they sure as hell aren't the worst. A few more moments of silence passed between them, and when a peacekeeper entered Jude simply began to lose it. "I love you," Ari comforted her, standing up to leave. He didn't want to leave her in this state, but what else was there to do?
This isn't goodbye, he mouthed, turning to leave with the peacekeeper. Slowly but surely he was guided through a passageway that lead to the train. He entered it to find Amadrya already inside, and her immediate words seemed to shock him. The bluntness of it, maybe. He wanted to laugh, but the occasion seemed to ruin the moment.
Just as quickly as the spark of survival had started inside him, it began to leave. He had to accept his death within the next few weeks. There was no going around it.
"Yeah, I'm... I'm Ari," he said finally at her last words. After a few seconds of silence he felt the need to brighten up the room. His eyes were betraying his body's still, calm composure. With her gesture he took a seat on the opposite side of the table as her. "I mean. At least we're from Seven, right?" He said awkwardly, noting that of all the outer districts, Seven was the most likely to bring in victors. Most children here were forced into hard labor. Ari himself knew how to wield an axe, climb, etc.
[Ahh you've found out my secret xD ]]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 10:27:25 GMT -5
[I'm writing a response now.
But I don't actually know what I've figured out XD Did I expose a secret I didn't even know about by accident?]
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Post by Sparky on May 18, 2019 10:30:04 GMT -5
[ nah I just put climbing as one of Ari's skills cause I'm a climber xD ]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 10:30:56 GMT -5
[Ahhhhhhhh I didn't catch that XD But I see it now and I love that little detail]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 10:46:07 GMT -5
Amadrya Darrow
The fire-eyed maid of smoky war
"Yeah, if the Arena's a forest, we'll be golden," she responded
Of course, if it wasn't they would be in trouble.
She looked out of the window as the train began to move, watching as the woodland of District 7 began to disappear into the distance. She wondered if she would ever see it again. She turned her gaze away from the window after a moment back to Ari, rolling her shoulders back as she adjusted her position.
"So, listen," she said "I don't really do alliances or anything like that, or at least I'm not planning to. I'd rather go it solo in there because I don't stab people in the back like the Careers do. And I don't usually help people, because I don't like owing people anything, and I especially wouldn't like to owe people in the Games. But for the sake of our being district partners, and because you seem like a decent person, if you find yourself in a sticky situation in the Arena, I'll help you out. And I won't kill you, I wouldn't do that to someone from my own district."
Okay, so maybe her words weren't the most comforting thing she could've said. But Amadrya wasn't the type to sugarcoat things, and she wanted to make sure he knew he could come to her if he should ever need it in the Arena. He had someone who was (relatively) safe to go to if he was in trouble.
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Post by Sparky on May 18, 2019 11:31:28 GMT -5
Ari nodded in agreement. He knew the consequences and odds of betrayal. And the simple best way of avoiding such occurrences was to go solo.
"Truce it is," he said, before his gaze wavered to the food in front of them. "Do you suppose we try to fatten ourselves up before the Games, or is that what the Capitol wants from us?" He knew that if he were to employ that tactic it would have to start now. It was never a bad strategy - various people throughout every year were certain to die of starvation. It was the nature of the Games.
[ really short but I'm on my phone from now until I get back home(and I've got the comp and an 8 hour drive ;~; ]]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 11:34:34 GMT -5
[Don't worry about it, I get how it is I'll work on my reply] |
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 11:48:36 GMT -5
Amadrya Darrow
The fire-eyed maid of smoky war
In response to his question, she shrugged.
"It depends on your strategy," she responded "Fattening yourself up will help protect you from the risk of starvation, but it will reduce speed and agility. The risk for us is that people from our district tend to do work that builds muscle mass, which is bad because it makes you lose calories more quickly. Not great for the Arena. It certainly wouldn't harm us to load up on some carbs, I suppose."
She paused before she asked him her next question. She didn't know much about him, wanted to maybe get some background to who he was.
"So, did you get visitors to say goodbye before we left?"
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Post by Sparky on May 18, 2019 12:20:36 GMT -5
Ari took her words as a cue to dig into some of the loaves in front of them. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to eat more than usual in the weeks to come before the Games. By her words he could tell how much of a strategist she was. And her intelligence didn't shock him in the least. Her question stabbed into his mind, making him look down slightly.
"My sister. She's the only one o have left..."
( ok yeah super short but I gotta go compete)
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 12:21:17 GMT -5
[Good luck! Let me know how it goes]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 18, 2019 12:40:12 GMT -5
Amadrya Darrow
The fire-eyed maid of smoky war
"Say what you like about the Capitol," she muttered, "they make some damn good food."
She felt a little bad at his reaction to her question, wondering whether she should have asked it at all. Amadrya hadn't intended to upset him or anything. But his words struck a chord with her, and she nodded.
"Ah, I'm sorry," she responded "that's rough. I know what it's like to lose your family. I live with my uncle and my cousins, so they visited me. And that little girl and her family, the one from the reaping."
Even if she won the Games and lived to old age, she would never forget Aspen hugging her and whispering a thank you for what she had done for her. The parents weeping with relief that they hadn't had to lose their daughter. Amadrya was dumb, she knew she was probably going to die. But she didn't care, she was just happy that a little kid didn't have to die in her place.
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Post by Sparky on May 18, 2019 19:31:50 GMT -5
[ update: I made it to divisionals!
Also, I'll start working on a reply now. I've got an 8hour car ride ahead of me >_< ]]
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]]
Astrape is just a positive person]
