Forum Thread

District 9 (Majoree Sinclair)

Majoree felt like a smile was starting on her lips. The tingling feeling in her stomach- happiness?- sang at the sensation. And yet- or perhaps because of it- she frowned.

Her heart plummeted. She released a long, deep breath in between her teeth. Then she started after him.

"Shouldn't we go for breakfast?" she asked as she caught up. He was faster than her- longer legs for starters, and a gait that gave her the feeling he wasn't one of the bumbling zombies. But how could that fit? Was his family wealthy? Did they have more food to eat? ​Grain hauler? she wondered, examining him. He did have the build for it. And that too, set her on edge.


She didn't need to think about that. Anyway, she had a feeling that he wasn't one of the wealthy upperclass of District 9. Maybe his jovial attitude was natural- unswayed by the harshness of the Capitol. Someone who genuinely felt so free, not because he was, but because his heart told him so.


That set her heart pounding, so she looked away. Their room was coming into sight. She opened her mouth to say something, perhaps to ask Raiyhan if-


"Oh, so our new pretty kittens finally deign to show their faces. I'm touched, really."


Majoree's head snapped up. She knew that voice...


"Quiet, Craig," the old woman from before. Her voice was tight with anger- and fear? "You would've seen them if you'd looked."

"If I'd looked," he mocked. "And why should I be in a hurry to do that? They look like runts, anyway- weaker than a shaft of grain. Strong wind could-"

"Enough." Majoree's eyes had finally adjusted to the dim, clinical hallway. At the junction point where the wall split off in various sections, then the two winners stood.

Our mentors.

Majoree's hand unconsciously found Raiyhan's and gave a firm squeeze.

---

District 7 (Riggs Oakfrost)

Riggs raised his hand- then let it falter. He watched, head slightly cocked, almost bemused- staring at her as she disappeared down the hall. "Hm," he rumbled. The mouse runs back to its hole.

"Riggs Oakfrost."

Riggs started at the voice- He recognized it. His brow furrowed.

"Don't turn around."

Something jabbed in between his shoulders. Riggs went stiff. A gun? A sword? Some other sort of weapon? Or a hand? An intimidation tactic or a threat?

"We are going to talk. And you are going to answer every question I ask."

That voice. Riggs wracked his brain, trying to think of it... Where had he heard it before? A friend or an enemy? An ally or a-

His breath sharpened and he whipped around.

Ash Craigtree's brown eyes met his. Behind him stood Dawna, her eyes as cold and empty as ever. She didn't speak. Didn't offer him help.

Ash pocketed a gun. A suppressor hung off the end.

"Come. Let us discuss."

Riggs limply let himself be guided down the hall, while his brain screamed obscenities.

---

Raiyhan Vale.

Raiyhan rolled his eyes. "What is it now..?" He asked the Mentors wearily. "If it's one more comment about how runty we look, then I don't have time for this." He grimaced. "I'm hungry, I'm tired- and I just need time to process what's going on."

He squeezed Marjoree's hand back.

"The Capitol don't recognise us. We're not dazzling like the Careers." He scowled. "They won't cheer for us, like the do the Careers." Raiyhan paused. "I've already vented to Marjoree about this. I just think that it's imposible that the grain District will make even a fraction of an impact as the Careers do."

His eyes burned with anger.

"I just- ack. The only thing I hope for is that somehow, somehow we can make an impression in the interviews. Your best bet is Marjoree. The crowd'll love her. She's witty and beautiful, Capitol material right there. She can wow the crowd. As for me-? Pah. No chance.".

And with that, he stormed off.

Majoree Sinclair (LOCATION: Hallway)

Witty and beautiful, eh? Majoree would've laughed if her face wasn't determined to burn itself off her skull. She gave it a quick swipe. The man- Craig was smirking at her.

"Aww, what's this? Little grain tribute's shy? So much wit. I can truly see it." Craig snorted. The flush vanished. Purple replaced it.

"Don't call me that," she replied tersely, turning around. "I don't need to hear it from you."

"Oh?" he questioned.

Then she was off, running after Raiyhan.

"Hey! Wait up!" she called.

---

As the carrige rushed through the path, Agria had never felt more free. Sure, she could still feel the stiffling grip of the Capitol, evident in the roaring crowds, but for once, she wasn't aversed to the roar. The wind rushed through her hair, undoing the careful curls, but it reminded her of the seaside of home, and she loved it. Agria was able to keep herself contained, but as they reached the bend, she did something impulsive. She threw her arms back and laughed. It was a strange noise, as she didn't have much ability to make vocal sounds, but the happiness in it was true and promiennt. For once, Agria was able to forget all her problems, pretend the crowd was a roaring sea, and throw her head back with glee. She closed her eyes, and for the first time in awhile, she smiled a true and happy smile. Of course, this didn't make the Capitol happy. A few promient faces had fists curled, and eyes narrowed. This would not be good for Agria.

---

Raiyhan Vale.

Raiyhan clenched his fists. He trudged his way to where his District would stay. Luxury awaited him when he stepped into the decorated areas, but he payed no attention. Out of anger, a vase came crashing down on the floor, and blood started to seep oit of Raiyhan's hand. He sighed bitterly, and retreated to a chair, where he inspected his hand wounds angrily.

He ignored Marjoree's cries of his name behind him, and put his hands over his ears. He just needed time to think, was that so hard to ask-?

And the District 9 Male Tribute is....

Raiyhan Vale!

Raiyhan Vale.

Raiyhan.

Raiyhan.

Raiyhan.

Raiyhan squeezed his eyes shut, ignoring the pounding of his skull.

Bah-bum.

Bah-bum.

Bah-bum..

District 9 (Majoree Sinclair)

Majoree paused at the door Raiyhan had vanished through. For a second, a trickle of fear made its way through her stomach.

Why don't I want to head in there? she wondered. No answer came, so with a huff, she rapped loudly on the hardwood, listening to the echo in the hollow room.

"Raiyhan?" she called. "It's me." An inch of irritation had wormed its way into her tone. She tried something gentler. "Hey, I just want to know what's wrong. I won't hurt you."

---

Raiyhan Vale.

A low chuckle came from the room. "I know you wouldn't." Raiyhan sighed. "It's just difficult to process the whole thing, y'know-? I've seen the other Districts, how strong they look. How they'll win."

The door creaked open.

"I'll try my best though-" His voice was clearer now, louder. "I hope you do to. Especially during the Interview." Raiyhan laughed quietly. "I'd pay good money to see you up on stage like that- hah..."

"I keep replaying the Reaping in my head, again and again. It's horrible. It'll never go away. D'you know what's worse-? The Stylists have apparently made new outfits especially for the Interview. They say, and I quote, "They'll make you look even better than the Parade! It'll be a hit for the Capitol!" He said in a mock-cheery voice. "Yay." Raiyhan shuddered. "That's going to give me nightmares all right, I didn't think anything could be worse than that. Do you know how tightly-fitting that shirt was? Ack."

District 9 (Majoree Sinclair)

Majoree stepped inside. While the joke reassured her, something about his dark tone made her feel uneasy. "You looked really pretty though," she said with a fake giggle. "They're all probably betting on you right now."

Even before she said it, she knew it was a mistake. Majoree, you idiot! Do you really think he needs to hear that right now? He's having an emotional breakdown over his life! He needs to be told that-

Her legs started moving. Then, before she realized it, she'd crumbled on top of him, wrapping him in an embrace. "It's okay," she whispered. "I'll protect you. I swear. You'll win and make it back home to District 9." She sealed the vow over her heart. Her embrace grew tighter. "I promise, you'll survive this game."

---

Raiyhan Vale.

What is this girl doing-?

Doesn't she want to win too-?

She could be faking....

Raiyhan tensed. "....why?" Was the only thing he asked.

"Don't you want to win too-?"

He patted her awkwardly on the back, slightly trying to get her off him.

Raiyhan felt confused.

why...?"

Majoree Sinclair

Why?

Majoree's grip loosened slightly.

Why?

She didn't understand herself- or did she? Did she know that she could live if she set her mind to it? That she could manipulate and climb and bring this boy- this poor sweet boy- to the end? And that she could leave him there, knee-deep in the corpses of those who posed a danger to him?

She released a breath.

Yes.

"I know I can," she said quietly. "I know I can save you. So I will. I promise you that. I can save you." Her body was trembling, so she gripped him harder. "Please."

---

Raiyhan Vale.

"...Marjoree. Please. No..." Raiyhan whispered. He leaned closer to her, whispering now. "I appreciate it, but-" He looked around nervously. "I want to be the knight in shining armour, who saves the damsel in distress." Raiyhan said, then exploded in laughter.

"I'm sorry, we're meant to be serious right now, sorry for spoiling the moment." Raiyhan resumed his solemn face. "I appreciate the gesture, but I want you to have a chance as well, Marjoree. I feel selfish if I let you try and save me. We can try and go into the games, as a team." His eyes looked worried.

"Together. We could try together." Raiyhan got up slowly, patting her on the head awkwardly.

"I'm going to my room to think, and get changed out of these horrible clothes. See you later Marj-"

He smirked and walked away.

Majoree Sinclair (DISTRICT 9)

---

Majoree flushed instantly, sputtering incoherently. "You- You stupid-" As she listened to his laughter, her face soured. "Stop teasing me! It's not nice!"

But as he spoke, the words echoed in her brain.

A team?

Oh. A team.

How stupid.

She bit her tongue, flexing her fingers. She didn't know what was going through his head, but... That was really, not smart at all. What did he expect if they went in like that? That everything'd work out? They'd protect each other and escape a death match? Both of them? In a game designed to rig them against one other? Without a specific goal in mind, then people would shatter under those circumstances.

Majoree knew that better than anyone.

"Fine. A team." Marj. "Rai."

She didn't tell him she was lying.

This was what was best for everyone.

Majoree included.

---

The excitement of the parade had worn off, and the dreading feeling had come back. Agria was inside the Capitol. This was too much It was overwhelming enough, all the excitement from before, but this was worse. Agria folded into herself as she was led to her room. It was something she'd done before, a learned practice. Every time that Auntie would scream, "GIRL!" or "MUTE" from across the house, she'd do this. Evrey time that she had to go into the center of District Four, she'd do it. Agria had learned to make herself small. She'd learned that if she did that, she went unoticed, because no one noticed the small things. The things that couldn't speak. But she knew deep down that letting herself go at the parade had made people notice her in a way that she could never erase, and she hated it.

The room that she had been given was simple, but elegant. A dark green theme with splatters of gold every now and then. She flopped down on the bed and sighed. It had been such a long day, she didn't want to sleep again after what happened last time, but it wouldn't hurt if, just for a minute...


She was in the cellar again. Auntie would punish the children in many ways, but nights in the cellar was one that Agria feared most. The cellar was dirty and grimy, dark with no light so that you couldn't even see the fingers in front of your face, but you could feel the rats crawling over your toes. Their fur brushing against your shins, their teeth chattering as they threatened to bite. Their long claws left scratches all over your feet, even if you kicked out at them, and Agria still had scars, despite the many sleepless nights she'd spent kicking away at the rats. But this time the rats were much larger than before, and Agria couldn't move. She couldn't do anything. They were biting and biting and biting, and Auntie just laughed at her perdicament-

Agria woke up with strangled sobs, her own choking scream louder than she meant it to be. Xena knocked on the door, but Agria didn't make a move to open the door. Eventually, Xena came in, and sighed. "Nightmare, I'm guessing?" She nodded, and Xena started to speak. "Look, I-" Agria tapped something out on the table, and Xena nodded. "I'll give you your space." Agria left the room and began wandering the halls aimlessley. Only a part of her didn't care if she ran into a Peacekeeper.

---

Lilith was standing in one of those “Do-not-cross” corridors, when Agira came walking along. “You’re not supposed to be here you know? It’s out of bounds” She says softly, and sweetly, clutching the doll— Natalia, in her hand. She pauses to stare at Lilith, not bothering to blink. “Nightmare, sweetheart? Must’ve been pretty bad.” Lilith was concerned for this new girl. However, it seemed to be Natalia’s lips that were moving. The wind whistles, and her dress flies here and there, all over the place, just like Natalia’s. But not a single strand of hair on both their heads moved, the blonde wavy hair simply resting gently, framing her pretty face loosely.

---

Agria stopped, wide-eyed as she saw Lillith and Natalia. She furiously wiped the tears from her eyes, backing up a little. She didn't know that this was out-of-bounds, and this girl scared her. She nodded once, unsure of what else to do. As an almost test of sorts, she pressed her thumbs and pointer fingers together to make a circle, the other fingers arching above as she jabbed them forward from above her head. Horrible

---

Lilith nods sympathetically, “I understand. Bad dreams happen to everyone.” Lilith’s eyes fill with compassion, and she bites her lip, thinking. After a while, her face brightens and she claps her doll like hands. “I have the perfect idea. Come along!” She grabs Agira by the wrist, gently but firmly, and steers her towards to her room. “Let’s play something. Take your mind off the nightmare, and keep you from going down the do-not-enter areas.” Lilith skips alongside Agira, one hand holding Natalia tightly, the other holding Agira. When they reach her room, she hands her doll to Agira. “Here. This is my doll, Natalia. She’s very precious.”

---

Agria was first suprised by Lillith's boldness as she grabbed her wrist, then stiffened as they got closer to Lillith's room. It wasn't that she was scared of Lillith, it was more that she was scared of being caught by a Peacekeeper, as she knew that they would not react positively. After the scare, her brain was running on high. Anxiety whispered evrey possibility of what could happen. She curled her hands into fists and crossed them. Safe?

---

“Yes. Very. Worst case scenario we’ll have an unconscious Peacekeeper.” Lilith grins, nodding as she flashes a set of pearly white, vampire sharp teeth. She presses the doll against Agira. “Hold Natalia properly. She doesn’t like that.” She whines a little, before pushing open the door to a beautifully decorated, elegant room. She takes a toy tea set out from her pouch, and places it neatly on the bed. She then clambers onto the bed, patting her side of the bed expectantly, eyes staring blankly at Agira.

---

Agria was still running on a high. She didn't understand what was going on, or why Lillith was treating her like this. Didn't she understand that they'd have to kill eachother? That thought made her pale, and so she was careful as she came in, gently holding the doll. Lillith scared her, so she did her best to cooperate, sitting down on the bed. She signed out, Why do you help me?

---

“Helping others good. Capitol scum. You are not willing volunteer. We’re all forced into the hunger games. You….are also different. Better different.” Lilith replies, before pouring ‘tea’ that was really just water into the cups, daintily crossing her legs and sipping from the teacup. She hands Agira a plate of biscuits, facing her. “Tell me your story.” Lilith asks

---