Post by CuteLikeMurder on Nov 26, 2013 18:20:58 GMT -5
[/SIZE]
“I will hurt you for this. I don't know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy,
and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid.”[/color][/font][/center]
Apple had not been pleased with her display. Not one bit. If Aurora had had the forethought to see the consequences of her actions she might have choose her words more carefully.
And she did regret her words. She regretted very syllable.
Tears welled in her eyes. The wounds were still fresh. She felt so raw, which is why, Rory supposed she was called the Capitol. She wasn’t a chess master, no diabolical genius; her capacity for subterfuge was at a minimum. Having her meet with the engineer of her perpetual nightmare only made sense. Well played. The sorrow turned to an icy rage. They had taken almost everything from her. She was a pariah in her district. Only Birch Grayling and her cousin Wistar came to see her anymore. Everyone even stopped accepting her money. She was alone. She had nothing but an empty home that felt more and more like a tomb.
She never forgot that conversation. Aurora even feed it back to him when it was Jan’s turn to have nearing everything taken from him. Now they were both ticking time bombs. They both were ready and willing to dismantle the Capitol brick by perfidious brick. The only thing that was stopping Janus was the birth of his twin boys. But Aurora wasn’t a parent. She didn’t have anyone besides, Wistar that depended on her. And the Coltons would see to Wistar should anything happen to her.
“The President will see you now.”
Aurora’s heart jumped into her throat. And her stomach dropped to her knees. Or at least it felt like that.[/spoiler]
Her boots clicked with each step. They had her in some muted dress. Not her usual gold. As if to remind her that she wasn’t a victor here. Or perhaps that she hadn’t won. And that thought made her blood boil and gave her stride a sense of purpose.
“Ms. Noland, you walk like a solider on the march.” The president had a way of sucking the air of a room. “Are you tired of fighting this war?”
“I don’t understand,” Aurora replied.
She laughed at her. “Ms. Noland, please I detest lies… You attempted to war with me. You’ve lost but you still have hope. And you remember what I said about hope.”
“I assure, Madam President, this isn’t hope that you’re seeing.”
The president regarded her for a moment and then pointed to the chair in front of her. “Please, Ms. Noland. Have a seat.”
Aurora looked at her and eventually took her seat.
“Ms. Noland… are you familiar with the story the Scorpion and the Frog?” The president posed rhetorically. “A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too." The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?" Replies the scorpion…”
Aurora knew the rest. “Its my nature...”
She smiled at Aurora for that. “Very good. The natural behavior of some creatures is inevitable, no matter how they are treated and no matter what the consequences. It is the same with you, Aurora. I could give you fame, fortune, security… But you will always be as you are now. Why? Because it’s your nature.”
“My father didn’t want to raise someone that followed blindly.”
“Your father was a brave man. Not practically bright however… Careful Aurora one word from me and Victor or no, your life will be in my hands,” she said, calmly. And when Aurora relaxed, she continued. “So instead of suppressing your nature, I’m going to encourage it.
“You have a desire to protect those closest to you. You’ll sacrifice your happiness and well-being for them. It is in your nature to do what is right. And you’ll do that now. I’m sure.”
Aurora blinked at her for a moment. “I’m confused.”
“Ms. Noland, this will go easier for you if we both agree not to lie to each other.” She eyed Rory for a moment. “Don’t you agree?”
“I’m not sure. I am not a lair, so that would have to depend upon you,” Rory replied.
The president smiled. “My cabinet believes that you are more trouble than you’re worth. But I think you’ll cooperate, right?”
Aurora nodded. “Correct.”
“I told them that. I said any girl that would fight for her survival the way you did wouldn’t thought it away. Of course there are others she has to think about. Her cousin. Rowan’s family. Conrad’s…
“You see, I have a problem Aurora. A problem that started with you and that boy from District Nine.”
“Jace. His name was Jace Colton.”
The President nodded. “Of course. Jace Colton. If it wasn’t for you two there would have been no Big Alliance. And certainly these noble displays can be traced back to you.
“The Head Gamemaker had any sense she should have isolated both of you and had mutts finish you off. But she gave way to the public love of nobility. So that brings us here. And I won’t bore you with the details of where she is.”
“Kind of you,” Aurora said tersely.
“Oh, Ms. Noland you’ll find that my kindness knows no bounds.” She practically purred. It was jarring and it must have registered on Aurora’s face because the President smiled. “But this brings us to my problem. We cut the feed before Silver could say anything more. But what he posed… what he said you were… It’s troubling. However, we know that it was just your family that were the traitors. Your family and that poor handsome boy that was pulled into their plot, don’t we?”
Aurora’s fingers dug into the armchair and she took a deep breath before she nodded. “Yes.”
“They no doubt doubled their efforts when you told them about your upcoming nuptials,” the President said. “The Girl Who Dared to Hope engaged to a boy from the Capitol? It must have come to a shock. Juinus Laurentius as a well-known name and he comes from humble beginnings like you. It must have been love at first sight. But you faced with the realization that your whole family were traitors; rebels. It explains your odd behavior over these last few years.”
This was the story they were going with?
Aurora nodded. “Yes. It was love at first sight. I’ll convince everyone that it was love at first sight.”
“Start by convincing me, Ms. Noland. Everything else will come easier after that. However there is always the alternative, Aurora. You still have one family member. And he is of Reaping Age, isn’t he?”
The months had ticked away Aurora was finally shackled to Juinus Laurentius. She lived in the Capitol almost exclusive now. She ventured to her home only a couple times a year. In fact she’d be leaving tonight to make in time for this year’s Reaping. If she had not volunteered it would have been Rory’s last. She had turned 18 just a few months ago and this would have marked her seventh year. The Odds would have been in her favor. She would have been okay. Then she would have started a life. And her fate would have been hers and hers alone. Now it was all out of her hands.
Her bags were packed. All that was left was speaking with her dear… husband to return. She didn’t know if he would be coming with her this year. She supposed it was strange for him too. Being tethered to a girl that he met only once before… She didn’t envy his fate either.
“I will hurt you for this. I don't know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy,
and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid.”[/color][/font][/center]
Aurora was sitting in the last place she ever wanted to be besides the Arena. The doors of President’s Office rose to the high vaulted ceiling, looming over her it seemed. Her hands were in her lap and she was silent, trying her best to be perfectly still but she was nervous. She had only meet the President once.
The day she was crowned a victor.
[/quote]The day she was crowned a victor.
The crowd was cheering so loudly, Aurora could barely hear herself think. They had her in gold. “The color of victory,” her stylist team had told her. They lightened her hair so it wouldn’t clash with the metallic colored dress.
Rowan had been the first to be crowned, leaving Aurora to be the last, as she was at the end of the line. It was only until the President placed the crown on her head did she realize that this had been done on purpose.
“Ms. Noland. I suppose a congratulations is in order.”
“I did nothing noteworthy, Madam President.”
“Oh, I disagree, Ms. Noland. They call you “The Girl Who Dared to Hope.” Did you know that?”
“No, Madam President I was unaware.”
“I think it’s rather remarkable. A girl from an overlooked district rallies her alliance mates and leads them to a stunning victory. That does inspire hope, don’t you think?”
“I was just doing what anyone would do in my position, Madam President.”
“I don’t think so, Ms. Noland. If that were the case, no one would be surprised that you are standing here.”
“Perhaps the odds were in my favor, Madam President.”
“Perhaps, Ms. Noland. But bear in mind, hope is a dangerous thing. Sometimes is it a double-edged sword. Wield it carefully.”
“I do not have an experience with swords, Madam President. I am more comfortable with axes. And they are simple tools with one basic function: to bring long-standing structures down to the ground.”
“Clever, Ms. Noland. I will have to remember that.”
Apple had not been pleased with her display. Not one bit. If Aurora had had the forethought to see the consequences of her actions she might have choose her words more carefully.
“Do you have a death wish? What the hell were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that I was tired of being afraid. I wanted to show her that there are people that will stand up to oppression no matter the cost.”
“There might come a day where you’ll regret those words, Rory.”
And she did regret her words. She regretted very syllable.
The day was gloomy and a light mist hung in the air. Eight people stood with their backs to a concrete wall. Their hands were bond behind their hands. And most had blindfolds covering their eyes. All but two.
Her father stood tall and unafraid. The softness that her father radiated was gone. There was only strength of character that shined through today. In the face of death he would go out proudly. Aurora wished she could say the same for Gable Mason. His emerald green eyes were bright and big with fear. It was clear he didn’t want to die. Nor did he understand why he was here.
Aurora was made to stand in the front of the crowd as a Peacekeeper read the sentence aloud.
“For the charge of treason and acts of sedition the President finds you guilty and you are to be summarily executed by firing squad.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she felt a hand slip into hers. She didn’t need to glance at the boy standing next to her. She knew it was Wistar. He was made to stand here too, because after today they’d both be orphans. His parents and brothers were there too; branded as traitors.
A squad of peacekeepers raised their rifles and her breath got caught in her throat. That’s when her father called out to her.
“Never forget who you are, Rory!” He shouted. “Never forget the proud name that you come from. And always remember, my baby girl, that win or lose, I am proud of you and what you will do.”
Then they fired.
Tears welled in her eyes. The wounds were still fresh. She felt so raw, which is why, Rory supposed she was called the Capitol. She wasn’t a chess master, no diabolical genius; her capacity for subterfuge was at a minimum. Having her meet with the engineer of her perpetual nightmare only made sense. Well played. The sorrow turned to an icy rage. They had taken almost everything from her. She was a pariah in her district. Only Birch Grayling and her cousin Wistar came to see her anymore. Everyone even stopped accepting her money. She was alone. She had nothing but an empty home that felt more and more like a tomb.
She didn’t even hear the door open. Just Wistar’s voice rising over the dead silence of her house.
“She’s in here, Jan.”
The bed sank under his weight as he sat down.
“Rory, we need you to get up. It’s been months. You have to get up. Or at least eat something.”
She didn’t say anything, and just pulled the blanket up over her shoulders.
“If you quit, they win.”
“They already won, Janus. ”
“Not yet. Not if we don’t let them.”
“I’m done. I told Apple not matter the cost. But I was wrong. Sometimes the cost is too high.”
“No. I’m not going to accept that. You’re Aurora-F***ing-Noland. You need to get mad. That’s the first step. Getting mad.”
She was angry. Sad, of course. She had lost everyone save for Wistar. But under all of that was a rage she couldn’t suppress. She wasn’t just angry, she was downright homicidal. “What’s the next step?”
Jan grinned. And even in the dimness of her bedroom, his smile shined. “Then you get even.”
She never forgot that conversation. Aurora even feed it back to him when it was Jan’s turn to have nearing everything taken from him. Now they were both ticking time bombs. They both were ready and willing to dismantle the Capitol brick by perfidious brick. The only thing that was stopping Janus was the birth of his twin boys. But Aurora wasn’t a parent. She didn’t have anyone besides, Wistar that depended on her. And the Coltons would see to Wistar should anything happen to her.
“The President will see you now.”
Aurora’s heart jumped into her throat. And her stomach dropped to her knees. Or at least it felt like that.[/spoiler]
Her boots clicked with each step. They had her in some muted dress. Not her usual gold. As if to remind her that she wasn’t a victor here. Or perhaps that she hadn’t won. And that thought made her blood boil and gave her stride a sense of purpose.
“Ms. Noland, you walk like a solider on the march.” The president had a way of sucking the air of a room. “Are you tired of fighting this war?”
“I don’t understand,” Aurora replied.
She laughed at her. “Ms. Noland, please I detest lies… You attempted to war with me. You’ve lost but you still have hope. And you remember what I said about hope.”
“I assure, Madam President, this isn’t hope that you’re seeing.”
The president regarded her for a moment and then pointed to the chair in front of her. “Please, Ms. Noland. Have a seat.”
Aurora looked at her and eventually took her seat.
“Ms. Noland… are you familiar with the story the Scorpion and the Frog?” The president posed rhetorically. “A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too." The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?" Replies the scorpion…”
Aurora knew the rest. “Its my nature...”
She smiled at Aurora for that. “Very good. The natural behavior of some creatures is inevitable, no matter how they are treated and no matter what the consequences. It is the same with you, Aurora. I could give you fame, fortune, security… But you will always be as you are now. Why? Because it’s your nature.”
“My father didn’t want to raise someone that followed blindly.”
“Your father was a brave man. Not practically bright however… Careful Aurora one word from me and Victor or no, your life will be in my hands,” she said, calmly. And when Aurora relaxed, she continued. “So instead of suppressing your nature, I’m going to encourage it.
“You have a desire to protect those closest to you. You’ll sacrifice your happiness and well-being for them. It is in your nature to do what is right. And you’ll do that now. I’m sure.”
Aurora blinked at her for a moment. “I’m confused.”
“Ms. Noland, this will go easier for you if we both agree not to lie to each other.” She eyed Rory for a moment. “Don’t you agree?”
“I’m not sure. I am not a lair, so that would have to depend upon you,” Rory replied.
The president smiled. “My cabinet believes that you are more trouble than you’re worth. But I think you’ll cooperate, right?”
Aurora nodded. “Correct.”
“I told them that. I said any girl that would fight for her survival the way you did wouldn’t thought it away. Of course there are others she has to think about. Her cousin. Rowan’s family. Conrad’s…
“You see, I have a problem Aurora. A problem that started with you and that boy from District Nine.”
“Jace. His name was Jace Colton.”
The President nodded. “Of course. Jace Colton. If it wasn’t for you two there would have been no Big Alliance. And certainly these noble displays can be traced back to you.
“The Head Gamemaker had any sense she should have isolated both of you and had mutts finish you off. But she gave way to the public love of nobility. So that brings us here. And I won’t bore you with the details of where she is.”
“Kind of you,” Aurora said tersely.
“Oh, Ms. Noland you’ll find that my kindness knows no bounds.” She practically purred. It was jarring and it must have registered on Aurora’s face because the President smiled. “But this brings us to my problem. We cut the feed before Silver could say anything more. But what he posed… what he said you were… It’s troubling. However, we know that it was just your family that were the traitors. Your family and that poor handsome boy that was pulled into their plot, don’t we?”
Aurora’s fingers dug into the armchair and she took a deep breath before she nodded. “Yes.”
“They no doubt doubled their efforts when you told them about your upcoming nuptials,” the President said. “The Girl Who Dared to Hope engaged to a boy from the Capitol? It must have come to a shock. Juinus Laurentius as a well-known name and he comes from humble beginnings like you. It must have been love at first sight. But you faced with the realization that your whole family were traitors; rebels. It explains your odd behavior over these last few years.”
This was the story they were going with?
Aurora nodded. “Yes. It was love at first sight. I’ll convince everyone that it was love at first sight.”
“Start by convincing me, Ms. Noland. Everything else will come easier after that. However there is always the alternative, Aurora. You still have one family member. And he is of Reaping Age, isn’t he?”
The months had ticked away Aurora was finally shackled to Juinus Laurentius. She lived in the Capitol almost exclusive now. She ventured to her home only a couple times a year. In fact she’d be leaving tonight to make in time for this year’s Reaping. If she had not volunteered it would have been Rory’s last. She had turned 18 just a few months ago and this would have marked her seventh year. The Odds would have been in her favor. She would have been okay. Then she would have started a life. And her fate would have been hers and hers alone. Now it was all out of her hands.
Her bags were packed. All that was left was speaking with her dear… husband to return. She didn’t know if he would be coming with her this year. She supposed it was strange for him too. Being tethered to a girl that he met only once before… She didn’t envy his fate either.