CuteLikeMurder
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As if killing the bard impresses us.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Mar 15, 2013 11:25:13 GMT -5
Oralee Miller: Mayor Click for .gifThe final battle was bittersweet. Although Jan Colton had lived. Isolde... Little Isolde had perished. She didn't "cut her soul" has it were in her final moments. She stayed true to herself. When the Capitol sent her back in a box, they could return her to the earth knowing that. And perhaps taking comfort in that fact. Jan Colton, however, was a whole other thing entirely. It wasn't just that he won. It was just how he won. It was why. Love had gotten him through. Love for for his fallen twin but the love he also had for this girl... this Ember Clay. If Jan had been her grandson and brought this girl home to meet her, she would not have approved. The girl was too broken, too damaged, too stained. Oralee could see it plainly written all over her. But in a way, she could see how well they complimented each other. And she could see the way they looked at each other. It was love. And it was real. It was a good thing Katie Colton wasn't here, indeed. It's always hard when the little ones start to settle down. "Josiah... At least something good came out of this... You have lost a daughter-in-law to be, but you didn't lose a son... Perhaps you may have even gained a daughter..." Oralee nodded to the image of Jan and Ember being lifted into the hovercrafts, and falling asleep holding each other. The commentators had dubbed them "Janber." "That nickname is terrible."
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Mar 15, 2013 13:13:19 GMT -5
Josiah Colton A Simple Man "I'm sure Janus will happily tell them that the first time he hears it." Knowing Jan, he would tell them how awful that sounded, and he'd be charming about it. His son seemed to have a flare for dealing with the Capitol and it's people. Though they might see him as sort of a pet, for all Josiah knew. "We met Ember in the Capitol. She has no one in her life, if the fact no one came with her to the Capitol tells me anything. And Jan will need someone who understands...." No one would look at Jan the same way again, Josiah was sure. "Perhaps I did gain a daughter." The entirety of the District was celebrating around them, and as the two Victors were airlifted away Josiah knew the next time he'd see Janus, he'd be in Capitol high fashion and being paraded around with a Victor's crown. "Janber...Aye...he'll tell them how awful that is."
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Mar 16, 2013 7:57:50 GMT -5
Jan Colton Co-Victor of the 26th Annual Hunger Games His house in Victor's Village was--in a word--huge. The living room by itself was bigger than the little house that his parents raised six children in. He had four bedrooms and only one got used for anything like sleeping. Jan didn't sleep much anymore. He didn't spend much time inside that house either. Most of his time was spent out in the rather big yard...planting things. He felt the inherent need to keep his hands dirty, and to feel like he was doing something. Jan would never have to work in the fields again, and he hadn't since he came back to District 9. The one day he went, everyone had just...they were afraid of him. He could feel it. That they were afraid of him, and he hadn't been able to stand it. He hadn't gone back. Oh..he went to his parents' house for dinner nearly every night. He'd put money into fixing it up and making it more liveable. It had running water now. Max and Sam had a little bit of money put away for when they got married. What good was being a Victor if your family still had nothing? But he spent a lot of time alone. Thinking. Trying to put himself back in some resemblance of order because he needed to be. Killing Felix had torn him apart, both inside and out. Jace's District 9 Jacket--the one he wore in the Arena--was framed in one of those useless bedrooms, and the knives Jan had gotten as gifts from Sponsors were mounted on the wall there too. His own was hanging in the closet. He hadn't gotten the courage to put it anywhere visible yet. Felix's axe had gone to District 7, or he'd have that up there too. As a reminder. Not that he needed it. He had the District 7 boy's -- His name was Felix, dammit.--District Token. He carried it everywhere. His wallet. In his breastpocket. Whether he was in the Capitol, in one of the other Districts, or in District 9, he carried it everywhere. The first person to plant something in his yard had been Max. She'd come with a few pots of daisies, and had planted them in the windowboxes of his house because 'It looks so dreary'. Since then, the yard had a little vegetable garden and a flower garden. Ma had brightened up his bedroom and that rather big bed with a crocheted quilt. Because he'd tried to sleep in the house again, but hadn't been able to. The house he grew up in...he hadn't been able to do it. He'd slept in the bed he and Jace shared, and he had been up all night pacing. Had been out in the living area with a cup of tea when Pa sat down with him. Didn't say a word. Got himself a cup of tea, and sat. Was just... there. Jan didn't know if Pa realized what that meant to him, but it meant a lot. A lot. And he started writing everything down. The way he felt. How hard it was to come home but feel like he was a different person. That everyone treated him differently. Whether it was hero worship, fear, or whatever... He missed Ember a lot, if only because for all that he could get travel passes, he had to be in District 9 as much as he was able. He still spent time with Jace, of course, but now it was quiet. No real talking. He'd just take a bundle of flowers and leave them there, and sit. For hours, sometimes. Apparently, Max had planted daisies there too. Kal never spoke to him. Ally barely did. Sam was so busy with his new 'job' that he rarely came by, though when he did he was fun to have around. The girls he used to fool around with barely looked at him anymore. Apparently he ceased to be pretty. Shallow b-tches. Not that he cared. He had Ember. Who he saw more than he thought he'd get to but not nearly as much as he needed. The Capitol was still awash in their "Janber" fix, and Jan twitched every time he had to go to that place. He hated that. They were Jan and Ember. Not 'Janber'. It was...terrible. Just awful. So a lot of Jan's days were spent alone. Save the days he spent with Lyme. Because who could really understand how the Arena changed you. How it all changed you. Knowing. Feeling. Loving people, and then being forced to cut them down like barley... He would never heal completely. And Jan didn't want to. [This is just an establishment of what Jan does on 'off days'. When he's not at the Capitol's mercy or he's not traveling. Not that he probably gets many of those. >_>]
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Post by Seryna on Mar 16, 2013 13:24:06 GMT -5
As Jan returned to his house in Victor's Village one day, he realizes that he's following an odd procession of five girls. Two of them are Daisy Horn and Luna Mathas, girls who just turned twelve this year. Sisters Daphne and Psyche, thirteen and fifteen; were leading the way. Sixteen year old Phaedra was looking apprehensively behind the group. At seeing Jan, she gives a nervous smile and discreetly urges the others to move along faster.
The girls move up to Lyme's walk way and pause at the door. The door opens immediately; Lyme must have been hovering with her hand on the door. Phaedra urges the girls inside and looks anxiously behind them towards the square and town. Lyme's hand is seen ushering Phaedra in and closing the door.
Considering this, Jan realizes that he had seen Phaedra - with her younger sister Piper - here the day that he and Lyme had returned from the Capitol. What could be happening on his street?
Two Peace keepers walked up the walk and moved to Jan's property. They move to Jan's vegetable garden without asking any one for leave, inspecting the work. They speak quietly and seem to be taking note of how many plants are planted.One raises his head and looks around as though he's looking for Jan or Lyme. The shorter one turns and looks towards Lyme's house.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Mar 16, 2013 14:43:39 GMT -5
Jan Colton; Victor of the 26th Annual Hunger Games: "The Left Hand of the Rebellion" or "The Boy Who Would Watch the World Burn"[/u] [/color] He only watches for now. Watches the girls disappear into Lyme's house, and then looks at the two Peacekeepers in his yard. His yard.
What were they doing? Though one of them looking at Lyme's place, he wasn't thrilled with. Not with those girls there. Call him suspicious, but it wasn't something he wanted to see.
"It's a little warm here for the tomatoes...but I thought I'd give them a try." Jan smiled, stepping into his own yard and closing the gate behind him. He hadn't lost his charm, that was for sure, and he could call it up at a moment's notice if need be.
"It's hot today, isn't it?" Not really, but they were wearing insane amounts of clothing. Even white, it was hot as hell.
"Glass of water? Or tea? My Ma makes the best Iced Tea. I can get you some."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 16, 2013 14:59:09 GMT -5
"Other people win a Game, they don't plant tomatoes." A voice responds. Jan recognizes Tatem, a female Peace Keeper known for her keen mind. She could snuff out a lie easily, it seemed. If someones' child was actually missing, she knew hidey - holes people thought they had secreted from every one. She was higher ranking and didn't usually wander about the city.
"You planning a big harvest?" She casually ignores the invitation to come inside, remaining at Jan's garden. Over her shoulder, Jan sees the curtain slowly move aside for a peek. A slow motion was likely Lyme, who knew that Peacekeepers might be more attracted to fast movements.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Mar 16, 2013 15:09:41 GMT -5
Jan Colton; Victor of the 26th Annual Hunger Games: "The Left-Hand of the Rebellion" or "The Boy Who Would Watch the World Burn"[/u][/color]
"They don't? That's a waste. I've got all this yard-space and nothing to do with it."
"What can I say: I'm a farmboy at heart. If I'm not growing something..." Still smiling. Still charming. He wasn't lying. The tomatoes weren't really things that grew well here. He just wanted to give it a try.
"A big harvest? Pa is. Me? It's just a little home-garden. Enough to have fresh vegetables for a week or two after I harvest, but otherwise? Just a hobby."
Because everyone was afraid of him, and he wouldn't be going back to the fields until it stopped. So? Probably never.
He could keep a couple Peacekeepers busy for a few minutes. If they tore out his plants, so be it. It would keep them busy for a bit. Maybe long enough for Lyme to get the girls out the back and down the road further.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 16, 2013 15:17:22 GMT -5
The Peacekeepers nodded, apparently satisfied. "Interested to hear what your talents going to be. " Tatem replied. "Baking with these vegetables? Or growing huge ones?" Was she smiling under that face mask? Maybe she really liked tomatoes.
"We'll leave you to it." Tatem waited for Jan's reply before making a polite good bye and leaving. Rather polite for a peace keeper.
Ten minutes passed before Lyme's door opened and she crossed the way to join Jan. "Nice garden." She remarked blandly.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Mar 16, 2013 17:59:55 GMT -5
Jan Colton; Victor of the 26th Annual Hunger Games: "The Left Hand of the Rebellion" or "The Boy Who Would Watch the World Burn"[/u][/color]
Of course he had to have a talent.
"Being pretty isn't enough?" Jan laughed a little. Of course it wouldn't be. He'd have to think of something that had nothing to do with growing things.
This was his. No one else's.
Maybe he'd take up singing. He wasn't terrible at it. He just wasn't Jace or Max.
The Peacekeepers left, and Jan was pulling up a weed when Lyme approached. He turned to his fellow Victor, pulling off the mask of the 'Happy Victor' and giving her the new 'thoughtful' Jan that had come back from The Capitol.
"They're alright, I guess. Might get some pointers at some point. Maybe sneak a few from someone in District 11." He tossed the dead weed--roots and all--to the side. "They were eying up your place, and you had visitors. I figured if I distracted them, they wouldn't interrupt your party."
Jan smirked. He wasn't sure what was going on, but there were a lot of girls in that house right now. He wasn't sure what was going on, but from the way those girls had been acting, it wasn't just a tea party.
"Just to throw this out there? None of them are very good at looking not suspicious."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 16, 2013 23:36:48 GMT -5
Lyme looked down the street in the direction that the Peacekeepers had gone. She looked back towards Jan and shook her head.
"The girls have gotten complacent. Seems like seeing the Games afresh have given them a new appetite for my cooking lessons."
The glance she gives Jan informs him that there is more going on than that but that she doesn't want to implicitly say it. Yet out here in the open air and the freshly turned up dirt, no one could hear you, could they? You and she were the only people living in this large Victors Village. It was too large by far for two people.
"They're children." Its a genuine smile now that she gives Jan. She seems to draw some sort of pleasure from the innocence of the girls; until a shadow crosses her face. Was it the thought that these children could be next years offering to the Capitol? Lyme crossed her arms and hugged herself as though beset by a chill; although it was a warm day as Jan had mentioned.
"This day ten years ago, I was pretty much in my own head." Lyme said quietly. "I thought I was untouchable after they gave me a pretty crown. I had smuggled some of my throwing axes home and kept them under my bed. For my protection." She gives a self depreciating laugh.
"Its illegal for citizens to have weapons at home. I should have realized that; but I was fairly... unreasonable."
The shadow has returned to her face. She glances towards Jan as though trying to measure him or perhaps to convey something to him.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Mar 17, 2013 1:02:17 GMT -5
Jan Colton[/u][/color]
Jan got where she was coming from. He didn't feel safe either, without a weapon near. Then again, his own knives were mounted on a wall and made useless. A reminder that he couldn't protect himself, even if he tried.
Though if he learned anything, it was how to be resourceful. A kitchen knife shoved between his mattresses might be the best he could do for now, but he was deadly with a knife, regardless of it's 'intended' purpose.
"I was feeling pretty invincible. Then Jace...and then me.... Now I don't. All I gotta do is look in a mirror..." It was a heck of a reminder, but it worked. Felix Grayling had given him that.
Felix Grayling had given him a lot.
"It don't hurt so much, to talk about him now." Jan shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants, and then offered Lyme a half-smile. "I'm pretty sure I've got some recipes that you don't, if you're interested. Could come over a teach a few."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 17, 2013 16:06:24 GMT -5
"I'd like that." Lyme replied warmly. "I can only make desserts. My mother never was much of a cook... Why don't you come over? See the state of my pantry."
"A mirror is just a reflection of how other people see you." Lyme assured. "That day was a good one. Painful. Cathartic. But I think it was necessary. My heart was in my throat that entire day. So many ways it could have gone wrong." She pauses, pursing her lips.
"I had a source that said the Game Makers were five seconds away from unleashing a truly terrible mutation had the day of Peace not been adhered to right down to the promised battle. She was terrified of this beast of a mutt. Makes me worry about the next one; if it can make a strong person pale and perspire.
Lyme led Jan back towards her house, choosing to open the back gate and wind through her yard. It was grassy and well manicured. Some cherry trees were planted. Colorful flowers encircled her yard and a beautiful wooden miniature house in the back yard.
"My jewelry studio." She explained. "I've been adding onto it over the years. Its solace; having a talent..." She leads Jan towards several black compost bins. The victor pauses and quietly surveys the fence that lined the road. Some ivy ran over the studio here; blanketing the bins in shade. Quick as a viper, Lyme knelt and pulled something unseen on each compost bin. Several small bodies tumbled out; the little girls in various shades of composure. The youngest ones giggled; somersaulting out. Phaedre whispered:
"Are they gone?" "Yes, darling." Lyme was gentle, grooming bits of leaves from the girls' hair. "Back to the kitchen with you. Phaedra, get them started on the needlework; would you?"
Lyme waited until the five girls were safely up the back porch before observing. "Its illegal to train for the Games; but the Careers are allowed to do it with impunity. What do you think of that?"
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Mar 17, 2013 17:09:23 GMT -5
Jan Colton[/u][/color]
The girls tumbled out, and Jan watched them head up to the porch before he spoke. It was exactly what he thought she'd do, just in case those jerks got it in their heads to search her house. It was the purpose for the distraction in the first place.
Keep them away long enough for Lyme to either get the girls out of the house, or come up with a plausible reason for them being there.
"Frankly? I think it's bullsh**. That being said: I wasn't the best fighter in the Arena by far, and I managed to make it out. It takes more than being a bada** to win.
"And anyone who's resourceful can 'train'. You just call it something else." Threshing, for example. Jace had taken his experiences in the fields and turned it to killing. No one could say that Jace Colton hadn't been resourceful.
He might have martyred himself in the name of brotherhood, but Jace was resourceful.
"Whatever mutt it was...thankfully, we didn't have to see it. Next year..." Next year. He'd be a mentor. He'd be sending some other poor kid into the Arena. A kid who might very well be older than he was.
A kid who might very well be Sam's age. Or Max's. He had a week to train them and put them through their paces, and then...
...They'd be dead.
"Jewelry...Sam's been working on jewelry. My district token was a bracelet he made. I'm still not sure what my 'talent' is going to be. Not growing. That? I think that's mine." And he wasn't going to let them have it. Because honestly? 'Growing' things was something Jace had been good at. The singing too, but growing things...
"I want to help. Fighting and surviving is all well and good, but playing up the camera can keep you alive too. Let me help with that angle. I can do that much."
For them, it was about survival, and Jan understood that. "...Sam and Max. They should come. If nothing else, it would be a good idea to have them around for story. They're my siblings, and if we're all in my house or your's, it's better to have maybe Max or Sam using my place to host a party for some friends....
"...There's gotta be a perk or three to having a Victor for a brother."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 17, 2013 17:19:10 GMT -5
"Yes, we do need to need to amp up our preparations. I've been doing some extra curricular work for about seven years with various children. Its only sheer luck that I never found a Colton in my house." Lyme paused; shaking her head.
"I do want you to about the repercussions; however. Especially if you want to involve your family. Our Peacekeepers won't tolerate anything that smells like training. I've had some close calls over the years. Some very close calls." Theres a shadow in her eyes. Genuine grief is naked on her face.
"People paid the cost for it. Some still are. Its something I want you to think hard on. Very hard and very long. I've become a paranoid old lady before my age. I once had parents, sisters and a future husband."
It was a simple fact that the whole district knew - Lyme's father had died the year she became a victor; her youngest sister the year after. Her second youngest sister had suffered a freak accident five years ago... and some thing odd had happened to her mother and remaining sister. They simply left; some assumed to the Capitol. The fact was that no one had seen them in five years.
"Maybe I could talk to Sam." Lyme proposed. "I'd like to see his work." The words were strained as though Lyme was fighting for normalcy.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Mar 17, 2013 18:00:08 GMT -5
Jan Colton[/u]
"Max is here all the time. She planted the daffodils in my windowbox and likes to climb on top of the house and see the District from up there. Don't ask me how she manages it, but.." Jan blinks a few times. "As for Sam...he'd be thrilled. I'll send him your way tonight when I go for dinner...unless you wanted to come with. I'm sure my parents can make room for one more."
He looked at the door to Lyme's house. "And ask the girls if they want my help too. I don't want to force my way in or anything. Worst case, I'll start having my own little...parties. Teach a few boys in the District how to 'get girls.'" He grinned. He wasn't serious.
Or rather: He wasn't completely serious.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 18, 2013 15:00:07 GMT -5
"I'd like that." Lyme replies, sighing heavily. "I won't make it for dinner. The girls are making apple pie and I know I'll ruin my dinner with it now. I'll mention your idea of teaching to the girls. Would you know what you'd like to teach them?"
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Mar 18, 2013 16:01:14 GMT -5
Jan Colton[/u][/color]
"The same things that kept me alive in the Arena." Jan swallowed, looking to his former Mentor. "How to recognize a good alliance for a bad one. How to play the Capitol crowds. How to lie. How to have the sponsors eating out of the palms of your hands....
"...How to be everything they dream you to be. How to say the right things and do just enough to seem simple and charming, but at the same time, not 'stupid'...
"In effect? How to take that 'reflection of how people see you' and use it to your best advantage."
Jan knew he was still the Capitol's Sweetheart, and he likely would remain that way for a long time. He was still beautiful, and he hadn't completely grown into himself yet either. Give him a few years, and there'd be something terrifying about how stunning he was, and paired with that silver tongue and dizzying wit...
It was going to get him in trouble, but at least he'd have something to work with.
"Might throw in tips on what sorts of things are edible and what's not. Apple pie is delicious, but you aren't going to find a tree of 'em in the Arena." He was teasing. Lyme had a thing for sweets. Just like he had a thing for oranges and strawberries.
"I'll give Ma your regrets. I...got called to the Capitol next week. Going to go to surprise Ember in District 12 before we have to be there, so I won't be around this weekend. I'll get started when I get back."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 18, 2013 16:13:23 GMT -5
"Those sound like good ideas, Jan. Not my strengths." A wan smile. Lyme and Jan were cut from the same district nine cloth, but had won their Games in drastically different ways.
"We'll all be going to the Capitol the week before the Games." Lyme said gravely. "Every single mentor received the invitation. Its going to be a circus. " She shook her head, apparently not liking the implications. "The Game makers are certainly making changes lately. More than one mentor... preliminary events... makes me curious what change this Game is going to see."
"I'll let the girls know and I'll expect Sam any time tonight or tomorrow. Call me if you're going to be traveling. I had an idea." She smiled, brighter now. "Be well, Jan."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 19, 2013 0:18:33 GMT -5
Lyme returned to her kitchen after her conversation with Jan. Daisy, Luna and Daphne were sitting on the three stools at the tall table in Lyme's kitchen. Each girl was intently practicing their stitching upon a large cloth doll. Large black 'X's ran the length of the dolls' torsos. Lyme leaned over Daisy's shoulder, nodding approvingly.
"Good work, Daisy. Look here," She pointed to a section of Daisy's needle work. "- concentrate on keeping your stitching nice and even. "
Daisy tried another row and Lyme stepped past from Daisy, moving to the kitchen counter. The older girls Phaedre and Psyche each held a chicken breast over a cutting board. The girls were practicing their stitching by stitching a cut in the meat closed with the coarse black thread.
Lyme leaned over and plucked the thread with a finger, remarking.
"It needs to be taut, Phaedra. Girls, watch this."
Lyme gently plucks Phaedra's chicken from her and demonstrates a slow stitch, making a small tight stitch.
"If this is skin, you need to be firm and fast. The person is going to be thrashing around. Psyche, get the medical kit, please."
Phaedra fetches a well stocked medical kit from underneath the sink.
"Now if you are stitching a wound shut, what would you need?"
The girls look over neat sections of gauze, antibiotic creams, pills and bottles designed to ward off infection. Psyche was most confident at choosing the correct antibiotics and Lyme demonstrated how one would apply them to a person.
Lyme spoke on wound care for several more minutes; occasionally pausing to cycle pies in the oven. Once all five pies were done baking, the girls took their pies and dolls and departed for home. Lyme looked out after them; wondering if it would make a difference this year...
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Post by Seryna on Mar 19, 2013 16:09:16 GMT -5
The television in the square flares to life: "Hello, citizens..." A female's voice broadcast over an iconic image of the last Hunger Games; a shot of the rubble within the Hidden City. "In a Hunger Games first, the Capitol will be welcoming our victors to the Capitol a week before the Reaping for the #27th Hunger games. There will be an exhilarating announcement regarding what new, never before seen aspect you will see in the next Hunger Games. Your victors will amaze you once again."
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