QuinnTalon
Staff Member
Gamemaker (HG MOD)
For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know.
Posts: 1,351
|
Post by QuinnTalon on Dec 8, 2014 20:10:17 GMT -5
Hadley North; District 10's Male Tribute for the 35th Annual Hunger Games"It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of him was one kind of sumbitch or another."
Reaping Day. Every District had it's own customs. In District 10, it was a hearty breakfast, a bit of prayin', and then everyone headed out ot stand in the sun and listen to some Capitol Doxy blather on about Victors and honor and all kinds of other lies before two people got chosen from a fishbowl to go to their deaths. Today was absolutely no exception. Cowboy hats and boots. That was the difference between other places and District 10. Not a single one of the boys was without a hat, and neither was a single girl. Boots and slacks and chaps and long skirts. Even the Victors tended to be prettied up in someway the same way. Save the years that District Four were the reigning Victors. Then it was all tunics and flowing clothes. Hadley knew the pain of wearing that mess. He and Billie were prettied up too, but only because eyes would be on the both of them as the brother and sister of Peyton North. One of the Three Victors of the 30th Games. There'd be a minute later where the three of them came together again--Chase Goldman and Alexandrite Stone--and it'd be televised. Which was silly. Hadley saw Alexandrite and Chase more than any of the other Victors. Mama and Daddy stood with the other Grown ups and with Clay Junior across the line, watching as the freakish doxy in purple and gold waved her hand over the girls bowl and drew out a little envelope with a pretty pink ribbon. Her eyes lit up as she saw the name, and Hadley's world... ...Shattered. "WILHELMINA NORTH!"
|
|
CuteLikeMurder
Staff Member
Gamemaker (HG Mod)
As if killing the bard impresses us.
Posts: 2,268
|
Post by CuteLikeMurder on Dec 8, 2014 21:09:11 GMT -5
Billie North; District 10's Female Tribute for the 35th Annual Hunger Games"Now think real hard. You've been birddoggin' these tributes a while now. And they wouldn't mind a corpse of you. Now you can luxuriate all cozy like while I tie you up, but if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet I will end you."
Reaping Day. Even before she was of Reaping Age, Billie had come to hate this day most of all. She hated the pageantry of it all, the ingenuousness of it. She wanted nothing more to be around the horses with Hadley, hiding from their folks or Pey or CJ. She liked her family fine. But it was her brother Hadley she had a special kind of bond. She didn't know what he did for the first two years of his life without her. But Billie knew she'd be lost without him. And that was the worst of Reaping Day; the possibility that she'd lose Hadley like she almost lost Peyton. It's be two more of these days and then that wouldn't be a worry any longer. And two years after that the whole family could breathe. Until CJ or Peyton knocked up some poor girls and they'd start the process all over again. Billie knew she'd never have kids. Not that she even liked boys. And boys never cared too much for her either. But that's the side effect of knocking a few on their ***es for getting fresh. She hated her clothes. She hated the makeup. She hated it all. But she never blamed Peyton for his hand in it. After all he was just playing the cards he was dealt. They all were. Today someone would be reminded of a simple truth that folks around here even for being the card playing types seemed to forget: The Odds aren't in their favor. "WILHELMINA NORTH!" "Aw, hell..." Billie said before a whole slew of swear words fell out of her mouth. Usually her mother or father or CJ would tell her to tone it down. But from the looks on their faces they wouldn't be saying much. Least of all to her. The two 'Keepers in their "Kill Me Whites" came to flank her. One made a move grab her. And she snapped at him. "I've got it plastic-jack." She couldn't meet Hadley's eyes. She knew that she'd look at him and then she'd break. It'd break her and she couldn't afford to be weak. Not now. Not ever.
|
|
QuinnTalon
Staff Member
Gamemaker (HG MOD)
For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know.
Posts: 1,351
|
Post by QuinnTalon on Dec 8, 2014 21:39:54 GMT -5
Hadley North; District 10's Male Tribute for the 35th Annual Hunger Games"It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of him was one kind of sumbitch or another."
Mama was near-on hysterical. She'd done this sort of thing before. With Peyton. Watchin' him on the screens and prayin' he didn't die. Now they'd do it again, but this time it would be with Billie. Billie. He was sick with it. Watching his sister pull her arm out of that White Hat's hand and cussin' up a storm. They were taking her from them, and both Mama and Daddy were sick with it. Clay too. And Peyton was standing up, looking downright murderous and sick. No one could do a damned thing... ...No one but him. That ruttin' doxy was pulling her up onto the stage and havin' her introduce herself. No one was looking at him, and at that pure thought he straightened his hat. Steeled his eyes. Waited for them to decide it was time to stop interviewin' his sister, and to make to move to that ruttin' bowl. "I volunteer!"His voice was louder than he thought, but then everyone went silent when it was time to choose another. Now, everyone was looking at him. He heard his mother sob even harder, and his brothers were both looking at him in horror, but no one. No one. No one.Would say Hadley North was soft ever again. "My name is Hadley North, and I volunteer!"
|
|
CuteLikeMurder
Staff Member
Gamemaker (HG Mod)
As if killing the bard impresses us.
Posts: 2,268
|
Post by CuteLikeMurder on Dec 9, 2014 15:19:53 GMT -5
Billie North; District 10's Female Tribute for the 35th Annual Hunger Games"Now think real hard. You've been birddoggin' these tributes a while now. And they wouldn't mind a corpse of you. Now you can luxuriate all cozy like while I tie you up, but if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet I will end you."
One of the side effects of being a good person (and her brother Hadley was one of the best) was that you could always trust a good person to do the right thing... just maybe not the smart thing. Though as Billie caught the look on her father's face she reckoned that sticking around wasn't a better plan. If Billie didn't come back, she couldn't even imagine the hell that Hadley would catch because it. It didn't matter anyway. Hadley said the words. It was done. They were both going into the Games now. Silence befell the crowd. For a second no one even breathed. Then she saw it. First it was the oldtimers. They took off their hats and bowed their heads as the Peacekeepers brought her brother toward the stage. Then it was all of the people her parents' age, the young folks that were newly grown, and finally the kids of reaping age removed their hats as Hadley passed him. It was a sign of respect. She glanced at Peyton and he met her eyes. She willed Pey to read her thoughts. Don't frak this up for Had. This was his moment. Because you best believe there wasn't a person in Panem that was looking away from the screen. If Peyton messed this up by being himself, he'd undermine what Hadley had just did by volunteering. He better not. Or he'd have to answer to Billie. "It's Billie, darling. And that's my brother Hadley." She told the District Doxy.
|
|
QuinnTalon
Staff Member
Gamemaker (HG MOD)
For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know.
Posts: 1,351
|
Post by QuinnTalon on Dec 9, 2014 16:56:08 GMT -5
Hadley North; District 10's Male Tribute for the 35th Annual Hunger Games"It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of him was one kind of sumbitch or another."
What the ruttin' hell did I just do?He knew what he'd meant to do. He'd stepped up and volunteered to be a Tribute so he could go and protect his sister. It was the right thing to do. You don't let your sister go someplace like that alone if you can help it at all. It just wasn't...right. What he'd done? He had no idea. Mama was cryin'. Callin' out his name and Billie's name, and Daddy was holdin' her and Hadley didn't dare look at him. Didn't dare look at Clay or Peyton either. That fight would soon come, but rright now he had to step out and up onto the dias with that blasted woman. The one who was callin' Billie 'Wilhelmina', and he was going to have to put that to rights real fast. And then he saw out o fthe corner of his eye the old-timers--the old people who he often fixed things for--stand up. Take off their hats and bow their heads as he passed. Old ladies touched his shoulder when they could reach him. At least, until he was flanked by the Peacekeepers. Unlike with Billie, they didn't touch him. And then grown ups. Parents of the kids who tormented him took theirs' off. Even his Daddy did, and then Clay and plenty of others. Then those of his own age. Other boys and girls of Reaping age who were still standing in their glorified paddocks watching him go to the slaughter. Oh hell...what the ruttin' shite did I just do? "A volunteer! How wonderful! I can not remember the last time District Ten had a Volunteer! What's your name..." "I already said it. Hadley North.""Wil...Billie's brother?" "Yessum'.""And...Victor Peyton?" "Our big brother.""My my my! You're all going to give the Coltons of Nine a run for their money!" "They're a mite prettier than us."The tittering doxy laughed at him. At his statement. He finally looked at Peyton, and there was terrified worry on his face as he didn't say anything. The other two Victors didn't say nothin' either. Just watched him, and when he was in reach of his sister he swallowed. "And why did you volunteer?" Hadley looked at the woman like she was mad. "No man worth his hat and boots lets his baby-sister fight alone. Just ain't manly."
|
|
|
Post by Seryna on Dec 10, 2014 4:14:24 GMT -5
[Editing in the Reaping with the special video sent over... treat this as occuring before first post]
The morning came too quickly, no doubt bringing fear anew to families. The sun worked to burn out the dread, shining down brightly over fields of gold and warm brown earth cleared for the animals.
The square was quiet, a gently breeze from the west kept everyone from complaining about the heat. Because hey, at least it wasn’t humid.
The citizens wore the best attire. The most unruly children were presented with freshly scrubbed faces and older siblings' best attire. There were many children standing in cordoned sections - family was important here in district ten. Each child was a precious gift, perhaps a girl touched with the skill of a roping a calf. Perhaps a child who would grow to be an emphatic person, skilled with animal husbandry. The children here learned the craft early.
The Escort took the stage wearing something she had thought was very district ten but was truly a replica of the Pageant the year before - white cowboy hat with dyed purple feathers, an ombre flared and fitted jacket in white and purple. Form fitting clothes of colors that screamed Capital and a face painted over.
“Welcome. Welcome to the 35th Annual Hunger Games! And now for a special message from our beloved president.”
“War... Terrible war...”
The annual showing of the video played, untouched over the last thirty five years. As the promotional video concluded, a new video flashed presided by a Capital emblem. The President's face looked serene as she stared out from a high dias down at the parade of the tributes of the #34th Games. With masterful editing, the chariots of past games filled the screen. District ten tributes dominated the screen - girls with leather fringe vests, boys with cowhide one year. All black leather the next with feathered cowboy hats and decorative spurs that gleamed like justice. The hometown hero himself - Peyton - received a close up of himself and hispartner on the dias. A silent framed shot of him shaking the President's hand and receiving his crown as victor.
"District Ten," The President's voice over spoke over Paytan's homecoming reception, the gathered multitudes in the square. Much happier times as reflected in the eyes of the people. " - we thank you for your sacrifice. We value your valor in the Games. May the odds be ever in your favor."
The escort made a excited croon in her throat as she took the microphone. "A personal message from the President herself! Victors Cane, Gosling and Peyton, I invite you to join us. Thank you."
A moment of silence as the three took the dais, receiving a respectful welcome and clapping from the escort. “We welcome our Victors.”
Most cheered. A few girls waved at Payton and blushed if he glances anywhere in thier direction.
“And now for our tributes,” the Escort said. “We will start with the girls first.”
The escort made a theatrical wave before clasping the card that condemned girl to her fate. A death in the arena or exalted to fortune and fame, trapped in a gilded cage. With a bright smile from shiny pink lips, the escort cries with heartfelt pride. As the chosen tribute and her brother approached the dias, Gosling had stepped up now. She gently placed an arm on the escort's smile and gave a sweet smile. "Thank you," She stated sweetly. "A moment."
The escort steps back - of course, the victors wished to see their new charges. Many years ago, Cane had been a young man. His hands were griped with premature arthritus now - the work could do that to anybody. He clasps Hadley's hand in his own. "I can understand that, Hadley." He stated with a firm handshake. "Welcome to the Games. Now we're going to steer you through this." The first District Ten victor turns to Billie, removing his hat and extending a hand for her to shake.
"Billie. Nice to speak with you. Wish it was under better circumstances."
Gosling detected the Peacekeepers shifting, responding to the cue to move the tributes onto goodbyes with thier families. A sweet smile and an upheld finger delayed the action. The Peacekeepers hover, bees reasy to move the pollen to the hive.
|
|
QuinnTalon
Staff Member
Gamemaker (HG MOD)
For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know.
Posts: 1,351
|
Post by QuinnTalon on Dec 10, 2014 11:07:54 GMT -5
Hadley North; District 10's Male Tribute for the 35th Annual Hunger Games"It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of him was one kind of sumbitch or another."
Seemed like they didn't know what to do with Victors who basically had the same people coming to see them off. So they still put them into separate rooms. Hadley figured that it made sense. They'd want private time with Billie. His parents. His brothers. Peyton wold probably be taking a backseat in the mentoring process. At least that's what seemed to happen when a Victor's family was Reaped. When Conrad of Seven went into the Games, someone said that is father--who was an earlier Victor--hadn't gotten involved. Was he afraid he'd favor Conrad over the other Tribute? Was he afraid he'd be too moon-brained to do him any good? Who could know? Still, it was him and Billie now. They had their mentors, sure, but he and Billie would only have each other. At least until one of them died. Until he died. That was all there was to it. Only one of them could go home, and if it were Billie it wasn't going to be him. He was going to his death and he well knew it, and Hadley took a shaking, terrified breath. He was scared, but he couldn't imagine a world without his sister in it, and so he'd do the right thing and make sure it was her who came home at the end of all this. If it were in his power, Billie would come home. The door opened, and he looked up to see CJ come into the room with his moon-brained best friend. Which...wasn't fair. Macon lost his whole family in one night and even in his twenties was still kind of a ghost. But he was smart. Scarily smart. Mama had seen him all lost when he was younger and took him in. Wrapped him up in chicken soup and warmth and tried to be a Mama to him. Daddy had been harder to convince, but in the end he treated Macon the same way. Like a broken, traumatized son that needed care. Macon stood with his back to the door, and when the Peacekeeper said 'Five Minutes', he just looked at the man. Stared him down until the door closed and locked behind him, and he leaned on the door. "You're ruttin' moon-brained."CJ was glaring at him, and Hadley couldn't bring himself to care. Macon was looking between them, and Hadley could swear he didn't share his best friend's opinion. But Macon could go weeks without saying a word to anyone, so he supposed it made sense that he kept himself aloof now. "Nope." Hadley answered. "Doin' my job, CJ. Doin' the one thing I'm good at.""Takin' care of Billie.""Damn right."He was still disapproving, but Hadley knew there was nothing they could do about it. It was done. He was going to the Capitol. Into The Hunger Games. And he was going to die. It was just going to happen. "You think you can win it?"Nope. Not gonna win it. Gonna make sure Billie comes home."Clay's eyes narrowed, and Hadley caught Macon's head tilting to one side. "You're...serious."Hadley just looked at him. "If you gotta ask that, CJ, you ain't been payin' me much attention. Ever. Which don't shock me none."The door opened again, and this time it was his parents. Mama and Daddy, and while Mama all but rushed to him to hold him, Daddy just stood there staring. CJ and Macon nodded at him, leaving the room. Probably to go see Billie. "What do you think you're playin' at, boy?" His father asked, looking stern and angry. "This a cry for attention...He just blinked at his father. Of course that's what he'd think. That Hadley had done this because he wanted attention. He wanted them to look at him. To treat him like they treated Peyton, and if Billie won? How they'd treat Billie. That this was a cry for attention because he was.... ...Largely ignored. "And why would I think that, Daddy? Why would I want that so bad? 'Sides: It's my way of thinkin' that you coan't miss somethin' you ain't never had."His father looked like he smacked him. "This ain't about me and never was. Ain't about you either. It's about bringin' BIllie home, and if you think I'm gonna leave my baby-sister's life in the hands of Peyton, you must think I'm an idjit."
|
|