CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 9, 2018 7:55:33 GMT -5
The Sun rose over the golden fields of District Nine. The harvest had came and went and winter set in. It was cold, but not snowy as it was in other districts. Just grey and gloomy. But the air smelled clean and fresh. The only smoke was coming from people's hearths, and from bakers who had started before dawn to craft their concoctions. Life was peaceful in District Nine, even a week before the Reaping. District Nine had experienced a bit of luck in the Games over the last fifteen years. Well, for one family the odd had been in their favor. The Coltons. Sporting four victors when there had just been one in all of District Nine. But that was before Jace and the Natural Alliance. Before Jan and the Wolf Pack. Before Elijah and Max and the Birth of the Rebellion. Though District Nine had not had a Victor since the 28th Games.
But even those losses didn't help damper the spirits of District Nine's Citizens. They raised a parting glass to the dead and life went on. Because even has lucky as the Coltons had been, the people of D9 understood that the Games had changed this family. It was like a ripple that spread out. It had been 15 years since Jace Colton was reaped in the Quarter Quell. And one thing was certain, life for that family had never been the same ever since.
There were no lessons for this week. No school all children. It weighed heavily on the kids of reaping age. But it was heavier burden on their parents. Because everyone knew that in one week, one boy and one girl would be chosen. And unless their last name was Colton, the odds were stacked against them.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on May 9, 2018 9:55:19 GMT -5
Jacob "Jace" Colton; Co-Victor of the Quarter Quell: The Boy with the Angel's Voice "Sometimes I wonder how things would be different if Lallek hadn't jumped in front of that arrow..." Jace was always the first up. It was ingrained. The harvest had been over for a month or so, but Jace still always found himself up and away before the sunrise and sitting on his porch with a cup of coffee. Whether it was his porch, Rory's porch, or the dock at the little house he used when he went to visit District 4. He was always up bright and early. Today was no exception. Rory would be long. She and the kids would be up and raring to spend their last day in District 9 before the Reapings. District 7 was technically their home. It was where they'd all been born, but Jace hated when they left. For a week or more, the house would be too quiet. Far, far too quiet. THough if he really wanted the chaos that came with having so many kids, he could just spend some time at Jan's. Jan and his 'Baker's Dozen', as someone had once joked. Speaking of Jan's kids... "Mornin', Uncle Jace." Lucky. He could always tell the boys apart. Lucky was quiet and introspective, and he managed to sneak out of his house and to walk up to Jace's, hands shoved in the pockets of his pants as he let himself in the gate. The quiet twelve-year-old didn't say anything else, taking a seat on a chair next to Jace's on the porch. Must be loud at the Colton-Clay's this morning. That was usually why Lucky found himself here. "Mornin'." Jace greeted, offering his nephew a grin. "Your Pa know where you are?" Lucky just shrugged. Thirteen kids and the quiet one was gone? It would take them hours to realize Lucky had disappeared.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 9, 2018 16:54:28 GMT -5
Aurora “Rory” Colton-Noland; Co-Victor of the Quarter Quell: The Girl Who Dared to Hope “In the Bloodbath it is utter chaos. Your heart is beating in your chest. It's hard to breathe. All there is, is the countdown. 60... 59... 58... The last minute of your life counting down. Because once it reaches zero, you're dead.” “Mommy.” A raspy voice sounded before she felt small hands on her face. Other people knew better than to wake her up this way. Jace even called her name and waited until she opened her eyes before he touched her. But not their children. Lucas, Avery, and Brandon all woke Aurora up in the same way, sitting on her chest, hands on either side of her face. They were up before dawn. Like their father. -- Like both of their fathers (long story; don't ask). “Good morning, Lucas.” Aurora couldn't be mad. Just looking into the face of her eldest put a smile on her face. “G'morning, Mommy.” She waited a full 30 seconds before she asked. “Yes, Lucas. Do you need something?”Her eldest thought about it for a moment. “I want juice.” “How do you ask for things?”“Can I have the juice, please, Mommy?” She nodded. “Yes, Lucas, you may. And I suppose your brothers want juice as well, hmm?”Just as she spoke two tiny boy with thick blond curls popped their heads up from the foot of her bed with big smiles, their silvery green eyes sparkling with delight. “Yes, 'pease.' Mommy,” the twins replied. “Ok, go downstairs and say good morning to your father. I'm going to get your sister, and I'll meet you on the porch shortly.” Just as she finished her sentence her three boys were zooming out of the room like the house was on fire. “And don't... They're already gone.”Slowly, Aurora rose for her bed, her body stiff and achy. Whether it was her age showing or her time in the Arena finally catching up to her, Rory didn't know. What she did know was that she didn't move as quickly as she used to. In the corner of her bedroom was a small wooden bassinet with her small baby girl resting soundly. She smoothed the baby fine fuzz from the little girl's forehead and with great care she picked her up, slowly rousing her from her slumber, soothing her when the baby began to fuss. “There, there. It's okay. It's just another morning, little one. But I'm here. Your mommy's right here.” Soon Aurora's youngest, Katherine... little Katie, they called her, was cooing happily. “You think we should go see your father, hmm? I think we should. The One knows your brothers are a lot to handle.”She walked downstairs, hearing her three boys greet one of their older cousins. Lucky. That was Ember and Jan's nickname for him. But Aurora called him by his given name. “Good morning, Felix,” she greeted as she stepped onto the front porch. She walked over and passed Katie off to Jace. “They all waited to say good morning to their father.” Aurora glanced at Lucky. “I'm going to get the boys juice. Did you want some as well?”
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on May 13, 2018 7:48:35 GMT -5
Jacob "Jace" Colton; Co-Victor of the Quarter Quell: The Boy with the Angel's Voice "Sometimes I wonder how things would be different if Lallek hadn't jumped in front of that arrow..." Lucky took the chair next to Jace, but otherwise didn't say a word. Just breathed out, as if he were exhaling the chaos and enjoying the quiet. Jace had to smile a little. Sam used to do that. He'd disappear for hours sometimes, frazzled and near tears, and would come back from wherever he'd been as calm as a spring day. To this day, Jace didn't know where he'd gone. He wasn't sure anyone did, but now Sam had his own home in town where he essentially ran the day-to-day of District 9. People were still whispering about when he'd start a family, though there was no rush. Assuming Sam did at all. "Intense over there today?" Jace asked, smirking a little. Lucky nodded, though he was sure there was more. The stress of your first Reaping was a very real thing, and while J.J. would probably immerse himself in the chaos to forget, Lucky would need the quiet to process it all. "Pa and Ma are smothering me. And J.J. isn't better..." Lucky answered, though he was cut short by the sound of little running feet and his three little cousins barreling out the front door, Lucas in the lead with the twins behind him. Lucas was a different child when he was here in District 9. Or rather, he got to be a child, as there were cousins and aunts and uncles and a ton of family around who allowed for that. He fed off of the energy around him, and a happy family across the street--and older cousins who doted on him--allowed that inner child to shine. In District 7, he was a much more serious minded person. More subdued and quiet. He was likely to be found up in a tree reading a book, or quietly tending his little garden that was beside Jace's at Rory's home in the Victor's Village. The three boys threw themselves at him, a lot of good-mornings and hugs before Lucas and Brandon raced off the porch and into the front yard to play--barefeet and all--while Avery stayed with Jace, his thoughtful little face still sleepy as he stayed on his father's (one of them) knee. "Well..." Jace looked at Lucky, considering. "Your Pa and Ma have really good reason. You know your Ma was Reaped when she was your age. Her sister volunteered for her. And your Pa...""He watched you get Reaped, right Uncle Jace?""Right," Right. And Jan hadn't ever recovered from that. Jace knew it as surely as he knew anything. No one ever brought that day up in their lives. Especially when they were drunk, which was a somewhat common occurence in a district known for it's beers and meads. That alcoholism wasn't as rampant as it was in other districts was a source of wonder for anyone who didn't know what was what, but if a man or woman had a family who cared, there were ways to get through to them if they were going too far. Jan, if he were drunk and the subject somehow got brought up, would grab Jace and hold him for a half hour, drunkenly apologizing for everything from not volunteering his place to the fact that he wasn't more supportive when Jace came home, to the time he and Jace climbed up into Old-Man McGuffin's Apple Tree, and Jace fell and broke his arm. He'd even shown up at Jace's door once at three in the morning and Jace had to put him to bed in the guest room. Just one more way The Games could rip through a person's life. Rory came outside, and as she put Katie into his arms, Avery woke up completely and somewhat meandered into the house. Jace raised an eyebrow at that, though he did smile. "Good morning, Rory." He looked down at his daughter. "Good morning, Katie-face."She gurgled at him, and then settled herself. Lucky stood when Rory offered him juice, nodding. "Yes, Ma'am. I'd like that. I can help you." Eleven younger brothers and sisters, Lucky was probably used to helping his parents quite a lot with the rest of the brood. It was just the way things were. Jace looked up toward the Colton-Clays', not at all shocked to see Jan walking as calmly as he could manage toward Jace's house. HE had to admit, Ember and Jan had been extremely conscious of the twins the past few weeks, and while Jace could understand Lucky's need to be away for a few hours, he also knew what his parents went through all those years. Jan was terrified. Jace got that. "Your Pa's coming, Lucky.""Mornin' Rory. Little Brother." Jan had a five year old hanging off of his arm, even as he opened the gate and stepped inside. "Seem to have misplaced one of the twins this morning...." An eyebrow got raised at Lucky, who didn't say a word. He didn't even really react.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 13, 2018 12:54:04 GMT -5
Aurora “Rory” Colton-Noland; Co-Victor of the Quarter Quell: The Girl Who Dared to Hope “The steps you take don't have to be big. They just have to take you in the right direction.” Aurora called to the two boys running around in the yard. “Boys be careful.”
Luke assured her that they were. She didn't believe him. But she'd allow him this freedom. It was rare to see Luke so whimsical. Her eldest was a serious minded introspective sort of little boy. Again, like both of his fathers. But here in District Nine he came alive. He was able to be a child. And not the caring older brother. She liked this side of him. She wished there was a way to bring this out of him when they went back home.
“No, it's alright, Felix. Sit, keep your uncle company,” Aurora told the boy. “Maybe you can get him out of his own head for a spell.”
She didn't notice the slip up. Just that little bit of District 10 crept into her vernacular over the years. Rory even occasionally said ain't. Ember wouldn't let her hear the end of it when she did.
“And Felix, call me Rory. I'm your aunt. We're family.”
The other kids had no problem. She was Aunt Rory to them. But Lucky was the respectful sort. He reminded her of his second namesake. Her cousin Wistar. Despite his personable disposition he had trouble to address elders causally.
“Janus, good morning,” Aurora greeted the man with her husband's face. Or Jace had his. She didn't truly understand twin mechanics, despite having two twin boys herself. “I'll be living with the children in a few days. Felix came by to help us out.”
She was trying to do what any good aunt would and cover for her nephew. She knew what kind of fear Janus and Ember were feeling. In seven years time, Aurora and Jace would be in the same position. She didn't envy them. But even with the Hunger Games approaching, it was important to allow their children to be children for as long as they could.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on May 14, 2018 16:17:16 GMT -5
Sawyer Larkin Jr.; Age 14: The Farmer's Eldest Son Everyone was up with the sun in District 9, even when there was nothing to be harvested and no real work to do. Sawyer had been up long before the sun, walking the fields with his father. A few weeks after the Games, the planting would begin. The Larkin Farm had to be ready for the Wheat, and the Colton farm had to be ready for barley, and they'd walked both farms before heading in to his Ma. Both fields looked good, and after they got the basket of treats for Uncle Jace's kids, they headed up the road toward The Victor's Village. It was miles away, but a nice walk. It wasn't too cold for it, and Sawyer liked walking with his Pa. Between the quiet moments and the occasional ruffling of his hair, his Pa would talk about things. A lot of things about growing up. His friends. His family. Meeting Ma, and how he thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Sawyer tried to understand it. He certainly loved his family, and like most people in District 9 was tactile to a fault. Arms non-chalantly were thrown over shoulders when they were standing together--or when they were sitting together. Arms would be linked if they were walking together. His Ma and Pa thought nothing of pulling their kids into hugs for no reason...it was just how things were. According to Uncle Jace and Jan and Max, that was odd to people in other Districts. Sawyer thought they were odd, for not showing their family and friends how much they were valued. But he didn't feel that way about anyone. Boys talked about girls at school, and things they'd do behind barns and silos. Sawyer just...wasn't really curious about it. Maybe he hadn't grown that way yet, and maybe it would happen another time, but...he was beginning to think he was strange. He didn't want to be strange. "You're thinkin' pretty hard there, Sonny." Sawyer Sr., his father stated, smiling as he put a hand on the back of Sawyer's neck and pulled him in close while they walked. They had just come to the gates of the Victor's Village, which was just near the District Square. They were already here and setting up for the Reaping, even with the scents of baking bread and cakes and brewing beer in the air, and his Pa resolutely steered him away from it. They didn't talk about the Games. At least, not when they weren't around his Ma's family. "I'm always thinkin' hard, Pa. No other way to think." Sawyer answered, being careful of the basket he was carrying. They were just treats for the train-ride, because Ma insisted that homemade gingerbread men and candies were better than anything those Capitol people made. And the blanket Ma had crocheted for Baby-Katie had been finished just in time too. She made one for all of the kids, and Katie was no exception. Pa laughed, even as they came up on the gathering in front of Uncle Jace's house and the chaos of a five year old and two twin boys. Uncle Jan was there, and Aunt Rory. Everyone woke up early in District 9. "Mornin', Coltons." Pa waved, smiling as they approached. "Sonny, tell your uncle what's what with his land." Jace was holding Baby-Katie, but he stood anyway, carefully moving her into his opposite arm so he could grab his cane and make his way down the stairs. Pa told them all that Uncle Jace had once been the fastest boy he knew. At least, until he'd been Reaped for the Quarter Quell. In the Arena, the Tributes who attacked him had gone first for his legs to keep him from running. It hadn't really worked out well for them, seeing as Uncle Jace was a Victor, but he would have to use a cane to walk for the rest of his life. Some things even Capitol medicine couldn't fix. "It's lookin' good, Uncle Jace. Should probably let the South Field rest this year though. It's looking sandy." Sawyer answered, playfully punching Lucky in the arm. Uncle Jan had his arms full of Lucas, who was apparently intent on using him as a climbing tree. Uncle Jan was taking it all in stride, which was normal honestly. He had thirteen kids of his own. "I thought the same." Jace smiled, and it was bright. It always was. "You're getting good at it, kid.""He certainly is." Pa answered, ruffling his hair again. Jan was over with Aunt Rory though, and Lucky had shoved his hands into his pockets and headed over toward his own Pa. This would be the first Reaping for the eldest Colton Twins, and Uncle Jan was doing what Ma and Pa had done with him two years ago. "It's all well and good, Rory, but...Milady wants him close today. She leaves later tonight and won't see them until she gets back after the Games." And then Jan would have all of those kids to himself. Then again, Uncle Jace would be here for awhile by himself. At least, until the Reapings, and then Ma and Pa would be looking after Uncle Jan's kids while they were in the Capitol. At least, unless Uncle Jan was taking any of them with him, though probably not. They tried really hard not to take the kids to the Capitol. Sawyer never quite understood why.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on May 15, 2018 21:47:44 GMT -5
Ember Clay-Colton; Co-Victor of the 26th Hunger Games: The Butcher of District 12 “You come after me, and I'll hurt you. You come after my husband, and I'll kill you. You come for my children-- I'll destroy everything you ever held dear. You thought I was scary as a tribute? Well, I'm a mother now. And I have not even begun to show you scary.” She needed to see him with her own eyes. With 13 kids it was easy to lose track (hey, you try it and see how while you fair). But this was different. Everything could change for them in a week. Ember needed to know exactly where you two eldest were at all times until she got on the train and went back ho- back to District 12. With J.J. it was easy. He wasn't too far from his ma or pa. Even now her eldest was walking besides her, talking her ear off about everything and nothing at all. And when he asked about courting and such, Ember shook her head and told him to ask his father. They agreed before they even started this mess that Jan would take the boys, and Ember would take the girls when it came to such things. And thankfully their eldest girls weren't asking those questions yet. Izzy was a shy girl and hadn't noticed anyone in a romantic sense. And Cinder would rather punch other kids in the face then kiss them. So needless to say, Ember had some time.
The rest of the Janber brood was in their house, eating. So obviously it was most likely pandemonium in the Clay-Colton compound. But Ember needed to put eyes on Lucky. She needed to see him herself.
There he was. On the porch. Charming had seen to it. He was giving their boy that look that said, "you know you gave your mother and me and damn heart attack." Ember smiled. She loved that man something fierce. That man that was being used by Rory and Jace's (ha) eldest Luke as a tree to climb on. That was her husband.
When she looked at him sometimes, Ember understood exactly how and why they had so many damn kids in the first place. Just look at that chiseled jaw. Seriously? Her husband was so pretty it should be a crime.
“Ma?”
“Yes, J.J?”
“Why are you giving Pa that look?”
“What look?”
“The look you give him before you tell us to leave the room.”
“Go say hi to your Auntie Rory.”
J.J. took off in a full run, whizzing passed his cousin and two uncles with a "Hi Cuz. Hi Uncles" as Ember walked up to the three men.
“G'morning,” Ember greeted with a nod as J.J. full on ran into Rory with a hug. Ember chuckled to herself because they were almost the same height. “And how's everyone doing?”
“Good morning, Aunt Rory,” J.J. said, giving her a hug.
Aurora's eyes widened in surprise as she was in the middle of telling Luke to get down off of his uncle. Though she understood, only Wistar let him do this, and that was really because Jace couldn't. His legs were too damaged.
“Good morning, Jacob, how are you?”
J.J. frowned. “It's J.J. Aunt Rory.”
“I know. But I prefer Jacob. And I call your father Janus.”
The boy nodded. “I know. Pa doesn't let anyone do that, 'cept for Ma and only when she's mad at him. But Aunt Rory, you call Uncle Jace, Jace.”
“And your uncle is the only person I do that for.”
“'Cause you love him?”
Aurora smiled. “Because I love him.”
And that was true. She wasn't in love with him. He wasn't in love with her. But what they had was something both less and more than romance.
“Janus, perhaps we could do something before Ember leaves. Something with the whole family. I know the boys would love one last day with their family before we go back to District Seven ourselves,” Aurora suggested.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on May 17, 2018 17:33:03 GMT -5
Janus "Jan" Colton; Co-Victor of the 26th Annual Hunger Games: The Boy Who Would Watch the World Burn “Who honors those we love for the very life we live? Who sends monsters to kill us, and at the same time sings that we will never die? Who teaches us what's real and how to laugh at lies? Who decides why we live and what we'll die to defend? Who chains us? And Who holds the key that can set us free... It's You. You have all the weapons you need. Now Fight!” Lucky had disappeared around the time Ember had finished feeding the twins. The youngest ones, who had been born 4 months ago. Serafina and Hadley--or Angel and Haddie-boy--who were both sleeping for the next hour or so. The rest of the brood had been told to keep quiet until the two of them woke up. It was about then that J.J. told him that he couldn't find Lucky anywhere, and Jan had looked up from his tea and headed on a hunt for his second-born. Second-born by five minutes, but still....his second-born. He wasn't shocked to find him at Jace's. Jace's house, even with four kids under six, was still quiet and calm. It probably had a lot to do with Jace and Rory's own proclivity for quiet and calm and the fact that there were only four. There probably would remain 'only four'. Jan would have joked that Jace and Rory were waiting to have a girl, but that would be disingenuous. The five year old currently climbing him while he talked to Rory looked nothing like his twin brother, and that bothered Jan more than it should. Because Jace had always been different from other boys. He hadn't pursued girls the way Jan and Kal and even Sam had done when they'd hit 'that age'. They'd chalked it up to the fact that Jace had been sick for a good portion of his childhood, and he hadn't matured socially the way the other boys had. Then, it was because as a Victor of the Hunger Games the girls who might be interested in someone like Jace (essentially, any girl with a good head on her shoulders because frankly his twin brother was pretty close to perfect) were terrified of him. Jan had watched him kill two people in the Quarter Quell, and both of those deaths were a source of great guilt to his brother. It had taken Jace three years to be able to even touch a scythe again. Longer, even, until he could stand going into the fields as anything other than a planter. But that wasn't what he wanted to deal with today. Rory was right. "It's warm, right? We could get a few baskets together. Have a family picnic...here?""Ally's been cooking all day. Part of why we're here." Sawyer Sr. interrupted, his hand resting over his oldest son's shoulder. "We have treats for Rory and Jace's kids for the train-ride. Having all the kids in on place for a few hours could wear them all out....""Pa." "What, Sonny?"The look Sawyer Jr. was giving his father was pure Ally, and Jan couldn't help but laugh. Jace had a bit of a smirk on his face himself. Ally, even being the one Colton who had something like a 'normal District 9 life', was still putting her brothers in their places, and had conditioned her oldest boy to do the same to his own Pa. Oh Ally... "It's...not a terrible idea. Milady? What do you think?"
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