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Post by Seryna on Mar 26, 2012 13:05:54 GMT -5
As Lallek headed out after his morning meal; he noted that the mood today was somber and depressed. It was the day before the Reaping and the children looked half scared to death. Many children were out of sight- Lallek would guess they were lazing by the beach; trying to forget tomorrows ordeal. Oh, there was someone small walking in front of him. He recognized the slim form of Amy Connor; the youngest sister of a tribute from the #21 Hunger Games. Lallek has to fight a grimace recalling the gruesome death of Arnold; the tribute who had survived the bloodbath at cornucopia; only to be eaten by a reptile mutation while filling his water skin at the lake. As he watched, he saw Amy joined by her older sister, Pearl. Pearl was just a year younger than Lallek himself, blonde and light eyed. She normally was down by the docks, mending the fishing nets of her father. Pearl wasn't a bad fisher woman herself when she chose to accompany her father. Pearl and Amy half - turned as they heard Lallek approach. Amy looked pale and wide - eyed. Pearl however, looked like she was doing her best to keep it together. "Hello, Lallek." Pearl greeted.
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 27, 2012 14:29:52 GMT -5
Lallek offers a small smile to Pearl and Amy. This was the hardest time of the year for most people, especially the children. Every day the Reaping came closer Lallek slept a little worse. He couldn't imagine the what the stress would be like for families. Dying in the games was almost a certainty and that was a fear that everyone in District 4 was sharing. Seeing Pearl hold up as well as she was, inspired a bit of admiration in Lallek.
He was holding up as well as could be expected, but the signs of fatigue were beginning to show. There are dark bags under his eyes from where he hadn't been sleeping at night. Nightmares about his father being swallowed by the sea were plaguing him more and more.
Regardless of the fatigue, Lallek did his best to put on a happy face for Amy. Reaching into his back pocket he pulls out a small notebook and a small stub of pencil. The notebook is tattered and frayed around the edges from frequent use and there is barely enough of the pencil to still be useful. Somehow though, Lallek scrawls out a small message and shows it to Pearl .
"We should go swimming in a few days. I know a cove where Amy can play with starfish."
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Post by Seryna on Mar 27, 2012 20:44:14 GMT -5
"...in a few days?" Amy whispers. You can see that its taking time to focus past the terrible tomorrow to some future event. It was Amy's first year for the Reaping and she didn't seem to be dealing with it well. Pearl grasps at Lallek's offer with an easy smile. Its a bit strained; but she replies easily.
"That sounds like fun." She replies, squeezing her sister's shoulder reassuringly. "Wouldn't you like that? You wouldn't have to worry about the waves as much." Amy squinted at her sister for a moment before nodding hesitantly. Her gaze swung back to Lallek.
"Did you see starfish there before?" Her voice was small, but something was lighting in those green eyes.
Pearl's smile became a bit more genuine as she gave Lallek a grateful look.
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 27, 2012 22:54:29 GMT -5
Lallek nodded and smiled to Amy's question. He stretches out his arms as if to express that the starfish were everywhere. It was a small kindness.
He placed the notebook back into his pocket, then points to himself and then to the center of town. He began to edge away from the girls waving as he does so. They were sweet girls and Lallek was glad to have seen them, but he needed to do something.
Once Lallek was away from the girls, he made his way into the center of the town. He needed to speak to someone about Tesserae. Sure it wouldn't help him, but it could help others. Without a family, he could scarcely hope to accomplish much else. As he walked, Lallek ran his fingers over his father's necklace.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 27, 2012 23:16:52 GMT -5
Amy and Pearl raise their hands to wave as Lallek departs. Amy stares after him for a moment before following her sister as they wind their way towards the shore, no doubt to tend their father's fishing nets... perhaps for the last time. The sunlight glistens off the shell adornments of a handful of other children that pass Amy and Pearl on the beach, heading into town.
Lallek locates a desk manned by a pair of Peace Keepers in the center of the town square. The platform for the Reaping has been completed and many people are shying away from the area; yet a few have the same need as Lallek. Lallek stands behind a tall, bronze skinned young man who takes out tessarae for himself and a younger brother. As he carries his new goods away, he seems to have worry lines that were not there a moment earlier...
When it was his turn, Lallek faced Sam; a Peacekeeper who had been in district 4 a great while. He recognized Lallek and made a motion for his note pad.
"Applying for tessarae?"
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 29, 2012 15:27:30 GMT -5
Pulling out the little notepad, Lallek scrawled out his message. "Put me in 100 times."
There is fear of course. He will almost assuredly get selected, but he had to do something worthwhile. Here in District 4, Lallek was living a simple life not impacting much of anything. He could probably live and die and have scarcely have been said to have existed at all. At least with the tessarae he could help Pearl and Amy. Maybe in that way he could have an impact. If worst came to worst, he would die in the games and District 4 would be short one beach bum.
As he thinks a strange mood settles over Lallek. The stress and fear were still very much there, gnawing at his stomach, but there was a tiny bit of peace in knowing that he was helping others.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 29, 2012 15:30:41 GMT -5
Sam checked the note and blinked, re - reading it. He makes Lallek write down his entry one more time; ensuring that Lallek wasn't committing Hunger Games suicide by a mis -handwritten number. "Are you certain?" He questions again. "You know what this means."
Maybe it was Lallek's time to shine, Sam considers, eyeing the boy. He never struck Sam as a victor before, but being unpredictable tended to make tributes memorable in the Games.
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 29, 2012 15:39:17 GMT -5
Lallek nods at Sam. He even pulls out another piece of paper and writes out. "One-hundred times." To clarify. Within all he can think of is that it was better for him to be selected than one of the fishermen's sons. They had families. They had something to lose.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 29, 2012 15:44:12 GMT -5
Sam takes his time reading the note. He is stalling, you think. He's not certain of this decision. Are you? A moments bravery now means that tomorrow will certainly see you on that high platform behind Sam. Sam stands, glancing to the platform as he walks back to the store room. He gestures with your note to one of the Peackeepers, who turns and stares at you. It takes time to gather that much goods. Lallek is given a heavy box containing some of his new bounty, told to come back every hour or so to collect the rest. You see the PeaceKeeper remark that they should order another shipment.
As Lallek turns, he sees a younger boy eye him with surprise, and maybe just a smidgen of respect. He had thumbed his nose at the life - giving tessarae just a bit. He may certainly die tomorrow, but his entry here wouldn't be easily forgotten. The boy looks at you carefully, as though he's memorizing what you look like so that when you are on the television, he knows that he saw you first. You're about to become famous for this act of tessarae.
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 29, 2012 17:35:22 GMT -5
Lallek makes sure that the first half of supplies make their way to the fishermen who had helped raised him. They were the men who had prepared him for this day. Even though he didn't feel the same affection for them that they showed for him, Lallek respected each one and wanted to pay them back for all the good they had done. Hopefully they could take a day off now. Just one, but one long coming.
The other half of the supplies he waits until later that night to deliver. Once the sun is well set, Lallek takes the remaining supplies and transports them to Pearl and Amy's home. They would last longer here. The thought of a few heavier meals for the pair makes Lallek smile as he carries the supplies. The Games owed their family more than just the meager supplies that tessarae offered, but he could at least cover a bit of that debt. Before he leaves, Lallek pulls out his notebook and scribbles out a message for the girls. "The cove is just a few miles south. The rocks get warm in the sun and the water sprays like mist over them. Be sure to play with the starfish." Once he has written it out, he tucks it into the top of the box.
He doesn't feel regret or sorrow. Lallek is ready for the next day. The thought of the Games still terrifies him, but he is ready nonetheless.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 29, 2012 17:55:54 GMT -5
How does Lallek sleep tonight? He has done a good deed when no great good deed beyond the fishermen's welfare and Pearl's friendship had been bestowed upon him. The night air is warm as he closes his eyes. This may be the last time that he smells the salt air blowing to him over the surf.
The morning comes all too quickly, the cries of the gulls awakening him. While some of the children may be suffering the ministrations of parents attempting to make a good impression, you are free of that obligation. The morning would only be spent in preparation for the Reaping. You think of the fishermen who have found their gifts early that morning. What would they think? Would they understand why he had refused their foster offers? Your thoughts move to Pearl and Amy, the surviving sisters of the tribute Arnold...
At the appointed time, you move to the town square. The Peace Keepers take your blood sample and you note that it is Sam, who gives you a long look. At last moment he gives an encouraging smile. If he notes the glances from the other white uniformed Keepers, he gives no sign. Finding your place among the press of children, you see Pearl trying to catch your eye. She wears a plain linen dress, dyed sea foam green with a rope tied as a belt.
The district representative, Lori Rhymes, takes the stage. "Welcome, and happy Hunger Games!" She announces with a wide smile. "This Quarter Quell is a special time of year, where we remember the sacrifice of the war."
The woman, with her hair set with nautical themed ornaments, turns to the screens. Your eyes follow hers as President Snow appears, thanking you for arriving for a special Hunger Games. The man appears wizened as he accepts a box from a blonde girl with long braids. He straightens as the camera zooms in on the card that he has drawn.
He reads the card somberly. " To remember the sacrifice made in the Dark times, we honor the sacrifice of the former tributes and victors of the Hunger Games. In addition to the Reaping, one child of Reaping age related to a former victor or tribute shall enter the Arena."
The President lowered the card, remarking. "We thank you for your sacrifice on this day. Please remember that only one volunteer may step forward per tribute, although your pride in your district is commendable. Happy Hunger Games."
The screen fills with the faces of district children. Lori gives a little shiver as she remarks. "What a very special Quarter Quell!"
A pair of Peace Keepers now step into sight, holding a third globe. You note that it is full of name cards. Once the globe is placed, Lori claps her hands.
"Marvelous! Let us start with our male tribute, shall we?" She declares with a radiant smile, plunging her hand into the globe.
This is it. Would it be you?
She withdraws her hand and unfold the card, announcing loudly: "Lallek Aldren!"
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 29, 2012 18:08:36 GMT -5
The rules of the Quell meant that Pearl and Amy both were at risk. Who was the other tribute? Who else was still alive? Surely there were others. Somewhere in this crowd there was someone else who could take their place. All he needed to do was remember who, but no matter how hard he tries it just escapes him. Amy or Pearl.
Only when his name called does Lallek's mind shake from the thoughts of the third tribute. There is the a new rush of terror. Not like the night before. This one is overwhelming and all en compassing. He had asked for this though. He wanted his name to be called. This way no one else's son would die today. Even though the color has drained from his face, Lallek does his best to stand tall and accept his fate. He moves to the front of the crowd and waits for the Peacekeepers to come. They would get no show from him. No hysterics or crying. Not a word of protest.
Lallek's hand touches his father's necklace.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 29, 2012 23:43:29 GMT -5
"Lets get a look at you!" Your district representative seemed shallow and way too excited about your Reaping. You find Peacekeepers at your elbow as you are guided to the stairs. She clutches at your hands with her milky white hands, soft as silk. These hands have never tied a knot or pulled in a pot. The happy woman lifts your left hand to the crowd, displaying you. You see some of the fishermen in the back muttering, clearly displeased at your selection. Pearl's face is ashen. Earlier she had looked happy, if a bit confused. Now those light eyes seem as clear as glass. "Let us choose our female tribute!" The pale hand dips into the other orb, making a circular flourish before coming up with a card. She folds it open and wets her lip daintily before declaring: "Rachel Cliffe!" i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/fanaticofyou/Hunger%20Games/alexfromlost.jpg[/img]Rachel proved to be a girl about a head shorter than you. She wore a green blouse and skirt, her brown hair hanging loosely down. She took the stairs slowly, giving you a dazed look. Lori lifts her hand aloft as though expecting cheers, but only sad faces stare up at the three of you. "Now lets have a moment to think of our past tributes," Lori decides. "- our brave brothers and sisters who gladly entered the arena, knowing that their sacrifice allows our current lifestyle." You hear a noise that sounds like a scoffing sound. Turning, you see that Nettle, the 19th Hunger Games victor, is seated in a straight backed wooden chair. He is looking at Lori as though she's a fish that has been rotting for three days. Nettle is dressed as though he may be going out on the boat later and not on the train with you and your fellow tributes. His skin is tanned and resembles leather. Nettle seems unchanged from when you had watched him on television. Lori didn't hear him - or pretended not to. You think her back is a bit stiffer for the effort. Lori made that little circle with her wrist as she reached into the third globe. She pulls out a name and shouts: "Pearl Horne!" Pearl.Pearl makes her way slowly to the stairs, her head proudly lifted upwards. You are suddenly struck with the memory that her brother had acted just that unaffected. Lori introduces the three of you with light pats on the back, encouraging you to shake hands. All too quickly, she is ushering you off of the platform and into a room by yourself. Time for goodbyes. You sit there for a few moments before realizing that Amy, the little girl who probably wishes to see you, would be with her sister. Soon, you are reunited with the girls and guided to a gleaming train. Rachel has been crying and unabashedly wipes her face. Pearl is dry eyed. Lori is grinning as she guides you to a luxurious cabin. Plush purple seats await you, surrounded by end tables and platforms of delectable sweets. Nettle stands facing you, examining a pointy purple object with curiosity. "They made a sea urchin cookie." He states flatly, as though it was the most ridiculous thing he has ever heard.
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 29, 2012 23:58:56 GMT -5
All the time between the stage and the train are a blur. Pearl being selected was devastating. It would come down to her or himself at some point. He couldn't do it though. Lallek couldn't kill her. The best he could hope for is that someone else.....
He shakes his head, trying to force the violence out of his mind for a moment. Lallek pulls out his notebook and begins to write a note. "We need to talk in private as soon as you get the chance." He holds out the note for Nettle to see, but doesn't hand it to him. Once the old victor has read the note Lallek places it back into his pocket. Everything about this situation was wrong. A cold fear had begun to fill Lallek and there was a growing pain in his head. He couldn't kill her.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 0:07:13 GMT -5
Finding time to talk in private isn't difficult. Lori delicately suggests that you freshen up and meet for lunch right here. Nettle chooses a seat facing the couch, working a bit of the urchin cookie off in his hand. He ignores Lori, who gives an annoyed sigh and leaves the room.
"Lallek," Nettle states, gesturing to the couch in front of him. "- come talk to me. Write, is it? I think someone mentioned that you don't talk."
He gives you a curious glance. He speaks conversationally, easily. Nettle is far closer to your age than he is to Lori's.
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 30, 2012 0:15:37 GMT -5
Lallek nods and takes a seat next to Nettle not wanting to make eye contact. "I cannot work with the girls."
The thought of keeping them safe, surviving alongside them and then...There was no way he could do it. He had used tessarae to make Pearl's life easier, not to have to compete against her in the games. His plan had turned against him and Lallek was nearly sick at the thought. What had the point been?
Nettle's more relaxed posture isn't calming exactly, but it keeps things tolerable. He appreciates the time take out to talk.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 0:18:33 GMT -5
"The girls," Nettle nods, continuing to peck each sharp spine of the urchin cookie out as he converses. "- do you know the girls?" He wonders.
"My mentor told me I should try and work with my partner. Someone to watch your back ..." He makes a 'etc, etc' wave. "But you don't want that right from the start. I've never heard that before."
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 30, 2012 0:25:34 GMT -5
Apparently Nettle hadn't heard about what Lallek had done. Regardless Lallek just shakes his head and begins to scrawl once again. "I took out tessarae for Pearl and her family. 100 times. I don't want to get attached and then have to...."
The thought seems to drain what little color was left from Lallek's face. His hands start rubbing the shells of his father's necklace. He writes again. "Options?"
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 0:33:32 GMT -5
"Oh, that was true?" Nettle blinked. "That was you?"
He processes this for a minute. Nettle's brown eyes look skyward as he thinks. "There are many options at this point. None of them are easy. Training alone is entirely within your rights and won't be questioned much. I can arrange alliances and sponsors for you that don't include them." His eyes meet yours, or at least look at your forehead.
"You know that alliances would help you survive the blood bath." His tone is plain, not glorifying the cornucopia. To him it seems only to be the blood bath. "What is it that you want?"
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 30, 2012 0:43:27 GMT -5
It was hardly such a casual question. Lallek wanted to be home. He wanted Pearl to not be a tribute. He wanted to win the Games without killing anyone. More than anything else, Lallek wanted his father to be alive. He wanted there to be a happy ending for this. That wasn't going to happen. The Capitol didn't let the districts have a happy ending.
There is some strength in that realization. He would make due. Lallek had gone through worse than this. His family was gone and even though his plan had backfired that didn't mean he needed to give up. "I want to be a predator. I want to take down as many as I can."
For all the fear and anger it was the best he could do. Lallek would clear the field or die trying.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 0:54:28 GMT -5
Nettle shifted back in his seat, his hands lowering to rest on his knees. The cookie is clutched in his hand, forgotten. "You'll need to start as soon as the cameras find us." Nettle determines. "That you don't talk can be played up. Stare at the camera, challenge the viewers about whats going on in your head..."
Nettle falls silent, considering. He is clearly thinking about your strategy. A moment passes, then another. Something sparks in his eye and he leans forward, speaking more quickly.
"We'll need to identify your strengths and weaknesses so that we can maximize your time at the center. Don't worry about the interview - we'll have time to discuss that later in the week. Now I'm not certain that we should have you act as a predator in front of the others. If we make you look like a threat, they may collaborate early at Cornucopia.
I would propose that you spend a few minutes identifying which stations appeal most to you when you arrive at the center. There will be many weaponry stations and you should find something you excel at. Yet find something to pass the time with until the careers get into showing off before you get to finding your weapon."
He pauses, awaiting your opinion.
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 30, 2012 1:03:15 GMT -5
Lallek mulls over Nettle's suggestions. Strengths and weaknesses. "I have lived alone for a most of my life. I can take care of myself. I'm good at knives. The fishermen taught me to throw." That was simple enough. Lallek knew that he could take near anyone with throwing knives. Weaknesses. He tried to think but nothing came to mind.
Lallek's mind wandered away from the weapons and began thinking of the psychological game. "I can look strong at the camera. Should I look weak to the others? Make me not seem like a threat?" There were fish that would pretend to be wounded to lure in prey then strike when the other fish least suspected it.
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 1:12:17 GMT -5
"Throwing knives are solid." Nettle decided. "Common enough in the arena. You have to remember to place them well. You only get so many knives in a set at Cornucopia. I'll be able to send you more - if you convince sponsors that you're a valid contender." Nettle is serious and meets your gaze levelly.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea, but you have to be careful. Seem too weak and they'll want to get you out of the way early. I'd say it would be best to be overlooked by those you think are a threat to you."
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Post by mrbrightside on Mar 30, 2012 1:27:00 GMT -5
Lallek just nods. It was all that he could do for now. Once they got to the training center he could show Nettle what he could do. Till then he would try to keep his head down. Sponsorship would be tough without the interview but he could do it. Lallek's headache was beginning to abate just a touch. Planning and potential action helped to calm him. The terror from before was now a low burning fear. Not ideal, but manageable.
There was one last thing though. "What about the girls?"
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Post by Seryna on Mar 30, 2012 1:37:29 GMT -5
"What about them?" Nettle volleyed. "Once they hear that you want to be trained separately, they likely won't hold strategical conferences with you. " He gave Lallek a long look.
"This Pearl. Whats the relationship?"
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