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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Mar 31, 2012 16:53:29 GMT -5
Victor's Village
Conrad signed the docket for the delivery and handed it back to the merchant, not bothering to inspect the cargo. Either it was all present and correct, or it wasn't, and frankly he couldn't care. He had more money than he could reasonably spend anyway thanks to his victory in the 24th Hunger Games, so if anyone shorted him, it meant he could spread the wealth amongst the District quicker.
Conrad's current attire was scruffy and unkempt, clothes showing signs of haphazard wear and tear. The only pristine item on his person was a circular silver disc hung around his neck, lovingly polished, its flawless surface an odd contrast to the rest of his appearance.
As a shadow fell over him, Conrad turned, looking up into the face of Tank, who had a blank expression on his face as he awaited Conrad's instructions.
"Leave two food crates aside at the end to take home." Conrad informed him, loading the first crate onto the wheeled platform to push inside.
A silent nod indicated the large hulking male understood the message, assisting the latest District 7 victor with his groceries.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 1, 2012 10:01:09 GMT -5
Rory was about to say no. But Gable smile took away her reservations, much to her chagrin. Nonetheless her spirits lifted in a way that would be not only hard to explain but also undeniably embarrassing. She knew that she had a crush on him so the idea of spending time with Gable simultaneously excited and terrified her.
"I'd like that," she said, with smile.
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Post by Seryna on Apr 1, 2012 21:22:08 GMT -5
Gable & Rory walk by the perimeter of Victor's Village. Gable was correct, the bright green trees with pink blossoms had a lovely floral, fresh scent. The wind carried the scent along the street beside Victors Village, but the scent wouldn't reach the rest of the district 7. It was a beautiful respite from the horror of this week, however.
All too soon, the Reaping Day was upon them. Mothers and fathers prepared their children for the reaping with anxiety shining in their eyes. This is a day churning with emotion. At the town square, Conrad, Conrad's father and Apple were provided with straight backed chairs and set up on the stage as the district representative took the stage. Looking out from the stage, Conrad could see the scared faces of the younger children arranged closest to the stage. Jenny, Gable's sister and Cedar, Cypress' brother were among them. Mindy, the district representative, steps up to the microphone, grinning happily out at the crowd. Some eyes have began to wander. In addition to the two globes containing the boys and girls names, there was a third globe filled with name cards. What fresh new hell was this?
"Hello and happy Hunger Games!" Mindy greets the crowd. "This year is something very special. The Quarter Quell means remembering the distant strife that gave birth to the Hunger Games. Let us see what our President wishes to impart to us."
The woman, with her hair set with different colored leaves, 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. Mindy gives a little shiver as she remarks. "What a very special Quarter Quell!"
As this terrible news is announced, Conrad sees Cypress standing in the group of seventeen year olds. Yet as you do a double take, he realizes that her eyes are grey and not Cypress' green. This is a close relative, a near twin of Conrad's old partner. Turning back to the crowd, Mindy claps her hands. "Lets begin with our brave young woman."
She does a small flourish with her hand and reaches into the femal globe. She draws a card and opens it with a happy smile.
"Our female district for the #25th Quarter Quell is Jennifer Mason!"
Gable's litte sister. Gable's face has drained of color. He jerks forward and you see the Peace Keepers near him turn thier heads in his direction.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 1, 2012 21:28:50 GMT -5
The silence was deafening.
Rory looked around and saw nothing but the tops of girls’ heads as they looked down at their feet. No one was going to volunteer. No one. It wasn’t done. Not unless you had a sibling. But Jenny only had her brother. And he couldn’t volunteer in her place. And he couldn’t live without her. It would kill him. Just as surely as putting him in the games would kill him. She found him in the crowd and smiled with tears welling in her eyes, she knew he'd know what she was about to do. And glancing around at the sea of children afraid for their lives, Rory whispered two words.
“I volunteer.”
Rory thought about her father, how this would destroy him, how he'd live on without her, how this wasn't courageous, it was easy, and how she'd probably not make it back home. And when she found her voice, Rory cleared her throat, repeating herself clearly this time.
“I volunteer.”
She felt all eyes on her. She didn’t need to read minds to know what everyone was thinking. Why was she doing this? Only Rory and Gable knew the answer because she had told him just yesterday.
"I wish I could spare everyone in this district the grief. I almost want to volunteer." she had said, remembering his reply.
"It wouldn't be a complete act of mercy, even if you bravely spare her. " He had told her glumly. "-We would have to watch you suffer then."
Rory remembered the way Gable had stressed the ‘you.’ It had made her smile at the time. She wanted that to be the first smile of many. A friendship that perhaps would have grown into something more; she had hoped. That smile was supposed to be the first in a chain of shared moments between them. But there was no cause for smiling today. And when she raised her hand, her voice booming over the crowd, Aurora Noland knew there would be no cause to smile ever again.
“I volunteer in the place of Jennifer Mason!”
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Post by Seryna on Apr 1, 2012 22:22:27 GMT -5
"Oh, how exciting!" Mindy claps her hands together. "A volunteer! Come up here, dear, let us get a look at you!"
As the Peace Keepers arrive at her elbow, she catches a glimpse of Gable's face. His face is still pale with shock, but something else is blossoming there. Surprise. He opens his mouth wanting to mouth something to you, but the Peace Keepers have decided it was time for you to get to the stage. One of them blocks your view of Gable.
As you are guided forward, you see Jenny's face turned to you. Her eyes are wide with shock and she steps closer to you. "Thank you." She mouths. The hustle is making it hard to hear and she repeats herself, her small voice rising over the whispers of the crowd.
As you join the stage, Mindy clasps your hand and lifts it upwards, presenting you to the crowd. Sad faces stare up at you, already grieving.
"Lets announce our brave young man!" She announces, approaching the second globe. Oh good, lets bring on the pain. Maybe it would be Gable.
She dips her hand within and comes up with a name card, opening it up. "Tank!" She shouts triumphantly. "Tank, come up here. Lets get a look at you!"
The Peace Keepers move to the large tribute's shoulders, perhaps expecting resistance or reluctance. Tank is guided forward to the stage, made to stand on the other side of Mindy. "Lets meet our Quarter Quell tribute!" She encourages, turning to the third globe. A relative of Conrad could be in there. A relative of Cypress... or a relative of Apple's.
Her hand dipped in the globe...
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 1, 2012 23:11:04 GMT -5
Leaning against the pull of the peacekeepers with all her might, Rory tries to linger just a little longer so she can catch what Gable is trying to tell her. Fear and despair settle in the pit of her stomach like stones, weighing her down. She calls for Gable before he completely vanishes from sight. It becomes to Rory clear she is going into the games with a lot of unfinished business. This is going to haunt her for the rest of her life. Which could be quickly approaching it’s end.
Mindy is too happy. Too happy when sending children to their deaths. And the Quarter Quell would feature 12 more tributes. 3 more careers to deal with, 9 others that had the misfortune of being related to a former tribute. However, its Mindy's elation that angers her the most. She's shouldn't be this excited. This woman needs to be ashamed of herself, remorseful. Instead she was filled with the kind of glee that almost makes Rory want to strangle the woman right there on the platform.
She looks down at her hands, realizing she's shaking. And not because of the weather. Balling her hands into fists, Rory wills herself to hold her hand up high. She is a Noland after all and she's wouldn't be lead to slaughter like some lamb. She go in there a lion. She'd die as one.
Dying isn't scary, she tells herself. It's all this blasted waiting. Rory reminds herself that they could take her life but they don't own her. She isn't one of them, not a Capital Tool. She chose to be in the games. Rory stood up for someone that certainly didn't have a chance. She knows she doesn't have a chance. But she couldn't stand there and do nothing. Possibly the dumbest thing she has ever done, but by far the most selfless.
Rory manages a smile for Jenny's sake. "I'm going to win," she says to the little girl with a wink. A lie. But a necessary one. She is the brave volunteer, too pretty to die, she silently reminds herself.
The walk up to the platform seems like the longest moment of her life. And with each step the gravity of her decision finally sinks in. Rory takes a deep breath, looking out to the sea of grief-filled faces. They know as much as she does that she isn't coming back. Rory doesn't care. These games are just a fact of life. And some people die way too young. Rory has come to terms with being one of them.
One last time she searches for Gable's face in the crowd, somehow knowing she wouldn't be able to find him. A soft smile graces her features again. But the light doesn’t meet her eyes.
The odds had been in her favor, that what they will say about her. The odds had been in her favor.
Damn the odds…
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Apr 2, 2012 2:43:13 GMT -5
Conrad looked out upon the sea of children's frightened faces, the grinning face of the District representative, and felt utterly sick to his stomach. Even now twenty four fresh new "volunteers" were being signed up. All in the name of entertainment. Twenty three dead and one laughingly termed "winner" who would likely come out so utterly scarred from the experience that they'd follow in the steps of other Victors, turning to morphling, drink or any addiction just to cope with the hell of it all.
As he looked over the mass of faces, Conrad noticed Cedar in the crowd and prayed for the young kid that he wouldn't end up in the Games this year.
As the card was read out, Conrad couldn't help a dark smile flit across his face momentarily. HE technically fell under those exact terms... he hadn't turned an illegible age yet, and a sideways glance at his father showed that the same thing had occurred to him as well.
As he looked in his father's direction, his heart stopped and his brain crashed as it alighted on an all too familiar but impossible face in the crowd. Unconsciously, Conrad's hand was gripping the metal disc on the chain around his neck, unable to look away until the sound of the district representative broke through the cascade of memories that flooded his mind.
Jennifer Mason... oh god. Conrad's heart went out to Gable, for all the good it would d- A volunteer? Conrad recognized Rory as she was brought forward, eyes meeting hers as the second name was called out.
Tank. His last year of standing in for the Reaping as well. He noticed the Peace keepers moving in and regarded them with a disgusted glance. To the male's credit, he offered no opposition to being led up to the stage, standing next to Mindy without a hint of emotion on his face. Shock? Bravado? As usual Conrad couldn't read his friend's feelings at all, though the faces of his parents out in the crowd spoke volumes as it was. There were no volunteers this time.
Two friends, one ticket back home, 34 others vying for the position, one of which he'd be equally obligated to. If the word Victor wasn't already ash in Conrad's mouth, it was now.
As Mindy turned to the final bowl, Conrad swallowed, knowing full well the next name could easily be that of Cedar again...
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Post by Seryna on Apr 3, 2012 1:12:04 GMT -5
Mindy plunges her hand into the globe, bringing it out with a flourish. She took a minute to read the card and announced the word with a happy cry.
"Cedar Woodward!"
There is a collective gasp in the crowd. The town had gotten to know Cedar a bit in watching him deal with his sister's participation and then death in last years games. Hearing him being entered was a shock. The young boy bravely stepped forward when a voice rang out.
"No! I volunteer!"
It was the girl who looked so much like Cypress. Mindy paused, frowning. "Not just any one can volunteer for this Quarter Quell-"
"I am Rowan Cress, cousin of Cypress and Cedar Woodward. If he can be Reaped, so can I." The Peace Keepers glance towards Mindy, clearly taking a cue from her. She finally nods after a beat.
"Rowan Cress, our third and Quarter Quell tribute!"
Rowan marches past Cedar, not looking at the boy who was white as a sheet. She keeps her chin jutted forward as she takes the stage. Mindy takes her arm and presents her to the crowd, earning a resentful glance.
"Shake hands and congratulations." Mindy encourages. "You are the Quarter Quell tributes!"
Rowan briskly shook Rory's hand, but she doesn't look at Conrad. She glances towards Tank, offering her hand.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 3, 2012 1:23:08 GMT -5
Rory glares at Mindy. She thinks that their district representative is going to cheat and try to send another young child to slaughter. She's glad that someone in this district thinks like her. And can't allow that to happen.
Strong grip, Rory notes as Rowan shakes her hand. She is like her, a volunteer. But there's a fierceness to Rowan. She's here to win. Rory glances down at the young boy who lost his sister just a year ago. If Rory could, she'd make sure his cousin got home.
She looks between the past District 7 victors and then at the crowd gathered around the platform. One of them could go home or they could all be killed. But one things is clear. They all couldn't win the games.
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Apr 3, 2012 4:34:25 GMT -5
Conrad's face turned ashen pale as the third name was read out. NO! No no no no no... As the boy started heading towards the stage Conrad made to get up, protest, hell volunteer himself, anything... but a firm hand on his shoulder forced him to remain sitting. Conrad's father leaned over as if talking to him normally; hissed into his ear.
"Don't be foolish boy."
Before Conrad could fight free of the strong grip, a cry of "No! I volunteer!" rang out from the crowd. The next few minutes were a blur as Cy... no don't think of her that way... Rowan Cedar, joined them on stage, Tank politely shaking her offered hand with surprising gentleness. Conrad did however not fail to notice that Cy.. Rowan wouldn't meet his eyes.
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Post by Seryna on Apr 3, 2012 4:44:57 GMT -5
Rowan kept her head held high as shook Rory's hand firmly. Two volunteers in a district was unheard of in these lower districts. Mindy was practically aflutter with delight; clapping and encouraging you all to wave. She moved over to Conrad, encouraging him to go congratulate his tributes. No doubt she wanted a video of him shaking Rory's hand or clapping Tank on the shoulder, something powerful to play for the interviews that would be occurring. She seemed confused at his expression.
"Talk to him." She hissed to Conrad's father, making a hand gesture to indicate that he get to schmoozing for the cameras. Apple was unperturbed by Mindy's antics, still seated in her straight backed chair. She watched the three tributes - and Conrad- with a glacial expression. After a few moments of working through your complex emotions, you are ushered away from the stage. It was time for good byes and a long train ride...
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Apr 3, 2012 9:56:23 GMT -5
As Mindy ushered herself off somewhere, Conrad glared at her retreating back, fighting the urge to make a hand gesture of his own.
Tank stood in place, waiting for someone to show him to where he was going next. Once on the train and in a private room, Tank stared at the luxurious room with amazement at the extravagance until the door opened again and his family quickly ushered in.
Why were they crying? Tank didn't like it when they cried. He'd be coming back eventually wouldn't he? One strong person always came back. He was strong...
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 3, 2012 10:24:55 GMT -5
Rory's expressionless when the cameras on her. If the capital is looking for a cheery tribute, they wouldn't find it in Rory. She isn't doing this for glory. She's doing this so a little girl can live to see 13. Just like Rowan is trying to do that for Cedar.
The train ride is long. Way too long, Rory remarks silently. She knows when she sees her father he's going to be emotional. And he doesn't disappoint. The tears in his eyes are threatening to roll down his cheeks. Rory is the spitting image of her mother. But she gets her eyes from her father.
He hugs her. "Your mother's sister died in the games. She volunteered in place of your mother." He tells her. Rory looks up at her father her arms still around him. Not only is this the first time he's mentioned her mother. But Rory had never been told she had an aunt. "She gave your mother a chance. She gave you a chance. And you gave Jenny Mason a chance. Your mother would've been proud of you. I'm proud of you. Win or lose, Aurora, I'm proud of you."
Tears well in Rory's eyes and she buries her face into his chest. "I love you, dad."
He kisses the top of her head. "I love you too, babygirl. And I always will."
She wipes the tears off her face and meets her father's gaze. "Did they let Gable come?"
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Post by Seryna on Apr 4, 2012 9:21:09 GMT -5
They had let Gable come say goodbye. When the Peace Keepers escorted her father out, Gable stepped within the room. His handsome face was drawn, the emotion of the day causing lines of worry that hadn't seemed to be there the day before. He seem to have become an adult today, his happiness tied into the welfare of others that he was powerless to protect. Yet he smiled as he stepped closer to you and for a moment, he looked like the very same boy you were conversing with yesterday.
"Hello Rory." Gable greeted, still smiling. It was a fractured smile that soon slid off his face as he stepped closer, clapsing his arms on Rory's shoulder.
"Jenny would like to say thank you one hundred times. She wanted to come, but Mother won't let go of her. I don't think she ever will."
It was a joke, but a weak one at that. This was the room of rushed emotion and interrupted sentiment. Gable looked at you then, simply looked. There's a new light there as though he's seeing you for the first time. He opens his mouth to say something, but the right words seem to elude him. He stands there, ill prepared for this terrible moment.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 4, 2012 9:52:05 GMT -5
Father and daughter exchange one last look before parting ways. Possibly forever. Each have a good understanding of the situation and they share a nod. Rory knows her father's thinking what she's thinking.
Even if you win, you lose.
That seems to take a weight off of Rory's shoulders. OK, unfinished business with her father, check. Rory'll go into the games trying to uphold a legacy. She entered on her own terms, and she'll die or win on her own terms.
"Hi, Gable," Rory says, grinning. Facing sure death and he still gets her to smile. And even with the joke, she chuckles. "I don't blame your mother. And Jenny doesn't have to thank me. She just has to make it past 18."
She glances at the Peacekeepers and then at Gable. She takes a deep breath and let it out. Then she does it, knowing full well the Peacekeepers were going to break it up. Rory kisses him.
"I've wanted to do that since I was 11... It was now or never." she says, with a soft smile as the Peacekeepers separates them. "Goodbye, Gable. Take care of my dad for me."
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