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Hunger Games RP w/ alexiis & Serendibite
Forum-Index → Roleplay → Private RP → Hunger Games RP w/ alexiis & Serendibite
Posted: Wed, 31/05/2023 21:27 (1 Year ago)
The time for the 100th* annual Hunger Games has passed, and the nation of Panem now stood at a still silence for another year. The countdown for the 101st Hunger Games had long begun, and those who suffered at the Capital's grasp were beginning to settle down, even for a little bit. Training for the Games, continuing work, keeping the dread of the year to come in the back of their rattled minds until it became relevant again.
"Hello residents of Panem, we are happy to inform you all that we will be hosting an unscheduled, special and exciting new Hunger Games!"
You started noticing things. Slight coughs were now becoming more prevalent. Many would end up just dropping dead, or at least they appeared to be. They were always dragged away by the Peacekeepers before you could ever find out. This was the first ever, non-annual Games as well, the Capital seemed to be in a panic. Those around you would begin murmuring about these strange events, speak as though a plague had been doomed upon us all.
But the reaping came. The crowd that was usually among you all had now dwindled to a fraction of the size. It wasn't long after the announcement, not long after these strange things began to occur.
And now you're here, the reaping had begun. The date that sealed the souls of many had arrived, and it was just as haunting as the rest. So, are you ready?
*So, ever heard of alternate timelines? Yeah, it's present year, yeah, it's the 100.5th Hunger Games, deal with it
these are just my notes and plans don't mind me hehe
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starts out with the capital fking up
as usual, making a deadly virus that moonwalks like heehee man all
over panem, certain people are naturally "resistant" to the virus,
and the capital sees this so they host a random, emergency HG. it's
rigged so those specific tributes are chosen, some of them aren't
tho since there can only be 1 of each gender, and then they get
thrown into the arena where it's more of a quarantine/experiment
lab disguised as a HG and all that bs. the virus suddenly mutates
and BOOM everyone has pixie dust and can now be my hero academia
characters with super cool sparkle powers, and then the capital
decides to just make the hunger games go on until uh oh, everyone
outside the arena is dead, what a shame, the tributes are trapped.
BUT UH OH PLOT TWIST, the virus mutates too much and actually
starts painfully torturing the infected until they go sicko mode
and then uhhhh idk i haven't thought that far
president moon isn't actually president moon but instead one of the scientists who "accidentally" created the virus, using her corpse as a puppet and is now trying to hard reset panem like it's a shiny hunt (spoiler alert, this timeline is the shiny)
president moon isn't actually president moon but instead one of the scientists who "accidentally" created the virus, using her corpse as a puppet and is now trying to hard reset panem like it's a shiny hunt (spoiler alert, this timeline is the shiny)
Districts Info
Info from SerenityFallow's "We're Only Human" 👀
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- District 1 -
Members of District 1 were known to produce luxury items such as jewelry. Due to their skill in craftsmanship, the goods that came out of District 1 were used to decorate the Capitol. Those who lived in District 1 were some of the wealthiest citizens of Panem. Tributes from District 1 were known as "Careers" because they trained for years before competing in the Hunger Games.
Male -
Female -
- District 2 -
Located in the Rocky Mountains, District 2 was one of the largest communities in Panem. It was also home to wealthy citizens, resulting in a positive relationship with the Capitol. District 2 was known for its masonry and weapon manufacturing. Tributes are also known as careers.
Male -
Female - Mei Akamatsu, 18 (Daiko)
- District 3 -
The main industry in District 3 was technology as the people there produced televisions, computers, and other electronics
Male -
Female -
- District 4 -
District 4 specialized in the fishing industry. The citizens in District 4 were known to be wealthy and very good-looking. Their tributes were also Careers, training from a very early age to prepare for the Games
Male -
Female - Liela Daelbrook, 13, Daiko
- District 5 -
District 5 was responsible for power and electricity. The area produced the electricity that powered all of Panem. They housed a hydroelectric dam which many of the citizens worked in
Male -
Female -
- District 6 -
The core industry within District 6 was transportation. It served as the hub for the transport network throughout all of Panem
Male -
Female -
- District 7 -
District 7 supplied Panem with copious supplies of lumber. The area was said to be surrounded mostly by trees
Male - Daischön (Mar) Zahpar, 16, Daiko
Female - Minya Reedshaw, 14, alexiis
- District 8 -
District 8 was known for their work in the textiles industry. One of their factories was dedicated to producing the uniforms used by the Peacekeepers
Male -
Female -
- District 9 -
The main industry at the focus of District 9 was grain production. The area was the least referenced district in all of Panem. Not much is known about the victors or tributes from District 9
Male - Raiyhan Vale, alexiis
Female - Majoree Sinclair, 15, Serendibite
- District 10 -
District 10 focused on the livestock industry. Their main job was to raise animals and supply the meat to the Capitol
Male -
Female -
- District 11 -
District 11 was said to be composed of a very large area, possibly the entire Southern region of Panem. Agriculture was the main industry of District 11 as the land was covered in orchards, crop fields, and cattle farms. District 11 was one of the poorest districts and its citizens lived in small shacks in an area patrolled by Peacekeepers
Male -
Female -
- District 12 -
District 12 was the smallest and poorest district in Panem. The district was located in Appalachia and their main industry was coal mining
Male - Idris Kallikrates, 18, alexiis
Female -
The Meddling Kids
Mei Akamatsu
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"idk"
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Username - Daiko
Character name - Mei Akamatsu
Age + DOB (12 - 18) - August 28th, 2005 (18)
District - 2
Preferred Weapon / Skills - Mei is handy in all sorts of weapons, as that is what she specializes in as a resident of District 2. Her favorite of all is her knife, which she carries everywhere she goes.
Strengths - Mei is incredible when it comes to using weapons to their fullest, not just for their intended purpose (although being up to no good is her number 1 priority). She is quick on her feet and highly intelligent, her agility, as well as her combat skills and knowledge, are some of the best around. She also knows how to get into other peoples' heads, twisting her words as much as possible. Mei is also a great actor, taking on many forms depending on the situation, manipulating the hell out of everyone she meets.
Weaknesses - In short, she doesn't have a heart. Mei experiences little to no empathy towards others, and she could be considered borderline psychotic. Her only goal is to "have fun" and make sure to get the most out of the suffering of others. Mei is also only slightly above average in terms of physical strength, and she doesn't have that much care for what happens to herself. It is also difficult for her to make allies due to her nature, and her confidence/lack of boundaries or limits could be her downfall.
Gender - Female, she/her/they/them/he/him
Appearance - hehe, h e h e
Mei is a 5'5, 120 pound little gremlin
Personality - Mei is quite the wild card, able to change instantly at the flip of a dime. Her true emotions, thoughts, and even motives are almost never predictable unless she wants you to know, making her someone you don't want to make enemies of. She is erratic and mischievous, constantly toying with anyone who was unfortunate enough to come near. I'm not good with this stuff, so the rest is TBRPD
Ability - Umbrakinesis because wow i'm so original :)
Family - Deceased parents, lives alone
History - hmm... maybe i'll edit
Other - :)
Daischön "Mar" Zahpar
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"Can't catch a f**kin' break, huh?"
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Username - Daiko
Character name - Daischön Zahpar, insists on going by "Mar"
Age + DOB (12 - 18) - October 18th, 2006 (16)
District - 7
Preferred Weapon / Skills - Mar can wield an axe fairly well (obviously), and is surprisingly efficient with a chain and sling. He isn't interested in combat or anything of the sort, so there's not much going for him there.
Strengths - He is psychically stronger than most and is just built different in general. He has a strong mind and knows how to pick his battles, preferring not to involve himself with much.
Weaknesses - He has built up a wall around himself and his personality can seem blunt or rude to some. He is only average intelligence-wise, but he knows how to fend for himself in the wild.
Gender - Male, he/him
Appearance - Picrew
Mar has, overall, pretty decent looks. He is 5'8, pretty well built considering his livelihood, semi-long chocolate brown hair, light red eyes that always seem to look dazed or filled with boredom, but somehow maintains a tint of gentleness, even with his soul-piercing glares. His tanned skin is filled with callouses and various scratches from years of brutal work, but it's usually not that noticeable. He has freckles over his nose and cheek, as well as a scar stretching that area that he covers with a bandage. He has a tattoo with seemingly no meaning or clear image on his left cheek, as well as the numbers "2933" tattooed on his right forearm. Mar typically wears worn down, ragged and casual clothing but always makes sure they're darker colors.
Personality - Mar is a stoic, highly reserved guy who hardly even shows his face around others. It's not that he's shy or introverted that causes him to be so enclosed, but instead just his lack of interest. In fact, he typically does well when conversing or interacting with others, but it's quite difficult to even open him up to that point. He is usually quiet and is a man of little words, even when spoken to, but it's easy to tell that he's kind at heart, even with his constant unpleasant demeanor and glare. He'd put pretty much anyone else's needs above his own, albeit seemingly annoyed at doing so
Ability - Phase change: Any object or organism he touches will begin to "liquify" and become extremely malleable, like play-doh. Holding his hand to said object or organism for 5 or more seconds will heat up and turn the object into a gaseous state, becoming near invisible except for a slight haze. If the object is already a liquid or gas, he can control those too as long as he has touched it. Mar can control both as if he is using telekinesis, but only in the gaseous state he can control it freely, not just limited to the surface the object was already on. In order to revert the object back to its original state, his blood will have to absorb itself into said object, then it will return as the way he has shaped it. The bigger/more complex the object, the more blood he will have to sacrifice. The object will never truly revert to its original form unless Mar somehow manages to orientate the liquid/gas he has manipulated perfectly. Thankfully, for organisms and some complex objects he has touched, he is able to see the interworking of and "log" a "map" of it in his memory.
yes, i know this is confusing, but screw you
Family - Deceased parents and sister, she was a tribute in the 98th games. He also has a bunch of foster siblings.
He has a pet rabbit tho :3
History - TBRPD :3
Other - idk
Liela Daelbrook
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"
"Fools like you are what infuriate me the most."
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Username - Daiko
Character name - Liela Daelbrook
Age + DOB (12 - 18) - August 8th, 2010 (13)
District - 4
Preferred Weapon / Skills - Being from District 4, she can do fairly well with anything long ranged, particularly spears and bows. She also likes to use rope and nets to distract, disable, and hinder opponents and prey just long enough for her to get the upper hand. Her main and preferred weapon is a javelin, which she tends to use as vaulting poles and other handy utilities.
Strengths - Manipulative and smart as hell, she knows how to use her words and she will use them to their full extent. Liela is also fast and flexible, an incredibly strong swimmer and hunter, and she can run on her massive confidence and ego alone. Liela is good with mapping out the terrain, knows her fauna and flora, and she can be adorable when she wants to be.
Weaknesses - She is really small and can snap like a twig, probably one of the youngest and weakest tributes. Her combat knowledge isn't the greatest, and as much as Liela hates to admit it, she is only good at running away. She can also be a bit too overconfident, which could lead to her downfall. Her tongue is also extremely sharp and she will not hesitate to be a massive pain in the ass, she is quite the little brat.
Gender - Female, she/her
Appearance - Picrew
About as short as her temper, 4'11, and she has a very thin frame with almost doll-like features. Liela has pale skin and golden/amber eyes that seem to shine in the sun, with chest length dark teal hair that always looks well done. She tries to maintain said doll-like appearance and never lets her nasty side show, and always makes sure she looks absolutely adorable.
Personality - I think it's pretty obvious by now but she's a massive brat, someone that will go to the ends of the earth just to piss you off. Her ego is as inflated as the economy, but she is knowledgeable and skilled enough to back it up, which probably makes it worse. She is obsessed with the Capital, but isn't completely braindead for them. Mainly, she just has something to prove and the president is her main target. Liela is able to at least shut her mouth and soften her attitude up a bit for those she wants to leave a good impression with, or those that have earned her respect, but she considers that being "soft" and tries to play it off by acting rude again.
Ability - Siren's Voice: Liela simply has to speak in order for her ability to work, and she can use her voice to be incredibly annoying and persuasive. It only works on 1 person at a time, but the unfortunate soul who hears her voice will fall victim to her curse. Liela's voice will begin to invade their mind and render them unable to stop the sound once she has begun, even if her voice is cut off or they can no longer hear her (think of it like telekinesis, but only 1 way, and her voice must be heard for at least a couple of seconds first in order for it to work). Her victim will then be vulnerable to her commands, and they will be forced to do whatever she requests. Her victim can only be under her command for a maximum of an hour at a time, and excessive use can tear up her vocal chords and cause extreme headaches if she doesn't rest first. The cooldown varies, but typically it is an hour as well.
Family - Elder sister
History - TBRPD :3
Other - uhhh
Posted: Thu, 01/06/2023 23:07 (1 Year ago)
Posted: Wed, 07/06/2023 20:48 (1 Year ago)
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Mei wasn't going to deny the fact that it was certainly odd to wake up on a day that was supposed to be like every other day, only to experience the overwhelming feeling of her district when it became the day of the reaping. That wasn't to say she was opposed to it, oh no, she was very much excited for it. The Hunger Games were an event Mei looked forward to, and you're telling her that there was going to be two this year? Oh what fun! She could watch as the poor tributes would fall victim to each other's hands, the face of agony and dread searing into the minds of many one again, and maybe this time she could get lucky and be one of the tributes herself. After all, in the 6 years of her eligibility, her name had only been drawn once, and some bastard had the gall to volunteer for her. She was dead now, so Mei didn't find it worth it to dwell on the infuriating event. Instead, she just decided to suck up her pride and volunteer in her final year of eligibility, which was supposed to be the upcoming year.
Well, guess she had one more chance. Looks like we get to see how it goes.
...
Mei got up from her designated sleeping area with a yawn, not showing any of the excitement that one would normally expect to see if they knew anything about her. Her hand slowly reached up to the back of her head as she began to ruffle her messy lavender hair, which she had just noticed was a bit too long for her liking. With a groan, she let her hand fall back to her side and leaned her head back, then proceeded to drag her feet to the other side of her small little abode to get ready. Mei never particularly cared about showing up nice to the reaping, but it would be quite embarrassing if she went when she looked as bad as she did now. She got a change of clothes, brushed her hair, and made sure to leave the place looking more chaotic then when she first went in, just to humor herself. With all that done, she walked out of her home and stood at the door to stretch, looking outwards at the rest of her district.
Most everyone was already awake, preparing and finishing up morning duties. Everyone alive, that is.
Mei saw, and she knew. People dropping dead, everyone old and young suddenly throwing a coughing fit, some unfortunate souls got blisters and hives, some began to have their flesh rotting off the bone, it was like a plague that was ready to lunge at whoever even dared to show their face to the outdoors. Mei saw, and she knew.
She knew more than most.
No one was oblivious to this godawful disease, that's for sure. Many had fallen victim to it, many know the curse that fell upon them all. But Mei knew. She knew it wasn't just a random phenomenon, especially not when the Capital was acting weird about it. This was their first ever games done twice within the same year, and it just so happened to be when this plague had struck. Not only that, they acted like everything was normal. They ordered the Districts to continue on with their work, and even forced them all to attend the reaping.
Odd coincidence, no? Those bastards wouldn't even give a good reason behind it all either. Oh well, not much she could do. Mei began by picking up her feet, swinging her arms as she walked closer and closer to the center of town. The girl with a much too cheery grin violently waved her hand at everyone she passed, and they could only look at her disapprovingly.
For a district with a butt-ton of Careers and scummy Capital support, pretty odd that they would be opposed to her, no? Whether they had a good reason to or not, Mei didn't really care. She certainly didn't care about the diseased, the deceased, or whatever shady plans the Capital had in mind.
She just wanted to have fun.
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Up before the sun even rose, as usual I suppose. Working tirelessly from dusk to dawn, even long after, that's all Mar had known. Chop down trees, haul the logs, process the wood, it was all a mindless and daunting routine for him. Mindless routine, nothing more, nothing less. At least it kept him occupied, at least it made him feel like he contributed to something, at least it drained him so he was too tired to think, at least it kept his mind of off things, at least it helped his family.
Or the broken pieces that could barely resemble one, that is. Work so they can have a good life, he told himself. Work so that they can be happy. Be a slave to this damned country and get scraps in return.
And you'd wonder why he's such a pessimist.
It was almost evening, he could tell. Raising his head to look at a glimpse of sun through the blanket of leaves that separated this filthy earth from the heavens above, he could see that it was almost directly overhead. That meant... Lunchtime, right? He debated on whether he should rest for a moment or continue working, dreading either option. The thought of the unexpected reaping wasn't even in his mind, honestly.
Mar's final decision was made and he decided to trudge his way back to the cabin, dreading the moments to come. He wiped off the sweat off his forehead, not even the autumn breeze could negate it, lazily wiped all the debris off of his attire, then took his first steps back home.
"Filthy mutt."
That was was the first, and only, thing the mistress had spoken to him once he had opened the door. Oh the usual, he ignored the words she spat and the glare she gave just as he always did, moving along towards the hallway and to where the beds were.
...
Sobbing. He heard sobbing. Multiple sobs, many children were crying. Mar's feet picked up, the fatigue no longer plaguing his limbs. As soon as the door flung open, a collective, abrupt, and startled gasp ran through the children on the other side.
They were all crying. They all looked scared. One in particular seemed worse than the others. "M-Mar!" One of the younger ones stuttered out, trying to look at him with a smile. He said nothing. "Mishi t-told us that... They had to go today! T-to the-..."
Reaping.
The reaping was today. Many of the children here were young, they wouldn't be forced to participate for a few more years. Mishi had turned 12 in the past few months. Right after the 99th games. Only him and one other in this home were eligible for the reaping, and now it was 3. He went up to the little boy, knelt down, and gave him the best reassuring smile he could.
"Hey, hey it's alright. Don't wo-"
Footsteps. Heavy, angry footsteps. The bodies in the room tensed up, the sobs were harshly stopped. His own were no different. His arms locked, but he made sure to keep his grip loose on the shoulders of the little boy he was comforting. His knees planted themselves into the floor below, and his heartbeat quickened.
The door flung open. The face of the mistress loomed above them all, spreading pure anger and disgust around the room like a flood that she had been the source of. Her fangs bared and her slitted eyes pierced every one of them like daggers, like a wolf instilling fear onto its prey before it lunged. But this wolf in particular liked to play with its innocent victims, kept them locked in a cage and only used them when it benefited itself. A cruel fate, some might say. And Mar agreed. The big bad wolf was as sly as a fox, vicious as a shark, and ultimately, your worst nightmare. She kept them all locked inside this poor excuse of an orphanage, away from the rest of the district so she could remain low-profile. Nobody bothered them, most didn't even know they existed, they had almost become one of those campfire legends that was used to deter everyone else from going too far deep into the forest.
And there was a good reason for that. Anyone who would wander too far would end up in the hands of this monster. The monster at the door, the monster that made even the most fortified minds quiver in fear.
She didn't even have to say a word for the children to know what she wanted. What she came here for. The fear in their eyes only grew, and they all looked to him.
An order was harshly yelled, and they all scrambled outside. They knew what was coming. Blindfolds on, stand in a line, utter silence. Other than the whimpers that were desperately being held back. Mar was a different story, though. He had no blindfold, he didn't stand in line, and only his shaky breath could be heard instead of a whimper. He had a different "punishment", he was to be the one to be the punisher. The one who held the line of chains, the one who would leave a burning red on their poor backs. He had to do it because that bastard made him, and if he failed to do his job? Well, the children would get much more than a small lash.
The blindfolds were so that they wouldn't know it was him. He had no clue why she decided to do that, but he couldn't protest. Didn't do much for the kids anyways, the older ones at least. They knew he was the one doing it, they've figured it out by now. Made them a little terrified of him, yet equally grateful and sympathetic. Didn't change the fact that it hurt, left a permanent scar in their minds, on their backs.
You can imagine what happened next. Unfortunately, that wasn't the last of the hellish morning for them, but it was time for the reaping. The three eligible went on ahead, while the younger unfortunate souls stayed behind a little longer in order to "be straightened up" as the mistress would call it.
The walk there was as gloomy and downtrodden as always, Daischön didn't dare say a word to the two behind him as he walked. They didn't dare either. They all found it best that way, make the reaping a little easier. Made the morning a little easier too.
But nothing could prepare them for the hell that awaited them on the other side of the woods. None of them had seen the district beyond the trees since the last reaping, so this apocalyptic wasteland was quite the shocker. Nobody paid them any attention as the trio slowly walked into the denser part of town, they were too busy preparing for the reaping themselves. Either that or burying the fallen, which there seemed to be an abundance of.
"Stay behind me," He whispered, making sure not to take his eyes off the road ahead. He put his arms out as if he was protecting them, trudging along until they finally made it to the stage.
Only then did they realize how bad it was. Normally this district was packed to the brim with potential tributes, now there was enough room to spread your arms out. Mar had yet to put it together yet, but the sinking feeling in his stomach still remained.
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"Malli, Malli! C'moooon, pleaaase?" Liela cried out, jumping up and down with that devious little playful grin plastered on her face. She had already gotten dressed for the reaping, a beautiful light gown that complimented her features so well, simple yet elegant. All that was left was her hair, which she knew she couldn't do herself. Malli was talented, someone Liela always looked up to. She was the only family she had left after all. She was vastly older, Malli was 20 while Liela was only 13, vastly more experienced too. Winner of the 98th Hunger Games, one of the Capitol's most prized victors. They got a luxurious house, taken care of quite well, and largely respected among the people of Panem.
Or what was left of it, anyways. The plague had been especially brutal on District 4, wiping it down to only a handful. It was devastating, but there was nothing else to do other than continue their lives.
"Liela..." Malli's voice was soft, pained even. She sat down on her bed with the chair pulled up in front of it, where Liela carelessly plopped herself down with a smile. "Aren't you... Nervous? Scared?" Her voice had a quiver, but it still somehow seemed as calm as ever.
"Of the Reaping?" A small silence hung as Malli's hand paused, holding small strands of hair. "...Liela, why are you so fond of the Games? Of the Capitol?"
The little girl could only be puzzled. Why shouldn't she be? The Games were incredibly exciting, and dying in them was an honor, was it not? The Capitol was quite merciful and benevolent as well, and she had been conditioned to respect them all her life, Liela found no reason to be against them. She had seen, however, that after her sister had returned from the Games, she became much more adamant in her opinions. Liela really paid no mind to her lack of input regarding them prior to the 98th, but the way Malli slowly became filled with hate puzzled her. This plague only seemed to fuel her hatred more and more.
At least she was still mostly the role model she always knew, her unwavering compassion and gentleness, the way she never seemed to do any wrong, all of her positive attributes seemed almost impossible in a cruel world such as this. It was no wonder she had become a favorite of the Capitol's, but the feeling didn't seem mutual.
...Maybe it had something to do with the unexpected death of the girl she loved most. The two were close, Liela had seen it. Malli had volunteered in her place to keep her safe, but in the end it didn't matter. Did she blame the Capitol for her death? Did she know something no one else did? Maybe it was this odd plague going around?
"Hm? Of course not! In fact..." Liela whipped around in her chair, the smile on her face still there. "I'm going to volunteer this year!"
Milla looked as though she had seen a ghost. Her hands were frozen in place, the strands of hair whipped out along with Liela's twirl and left them empty. The smile was certainly wiped off of the younger girl's face, only replaced with concern. "Malli? What's wrong?"
"You... You what?" She managed to sputter out. "I'm... Going to volunteer? Aren't you proud of me? I-"
"Liela please, you don't want to do this! I-It's not a game! I... I don't want you to-" She looked to be on the verge of tears, grasping Liela's shoulders with her shaky hands. The girl looked shocked, confused even, Liela had never seen her this way.
"...Die? Milla I won't-... I'll be fine! I'll get sponsors, I'll do well in the examinations, I've trained so hard-"
"They don't... They don't care, Liela! They use you for entertainment! The plague, the interviews, the Games, everything! You watched, didn't you? You watched me? You saw what they did to me?!"
The room fell silent, all but a soft knock at their door. "Miss Daelbrook, it's time."
The sisters said nothing as they headed to town square. Liela went in bewilderment, confusion, and shock. Milla went in pity and fear.
Then the two departed, Liela in the crowd and Milla with the other victors from District 4, all on stage.
Posted: Sat, 10/06/2023 11:40 (1 Year ago)
She hadn't slept.
Minya's eyes, which once glowed with happiness, now grew dull with stress and worry. She curled up in a ball, her shoulders shaking. She felt sick. Minya sighed heavily, her eyes now watering with useless tears. She was scared, terrified even, of what was to come.
The Reaping.
The day everyone feared, the day she hated most. Every single time, she would fear of being Reaped in the drawing, thinking about how she'd have to leave her siblings behind. How would they cope without her?
More tears fell down her olive skin, reflecting the orange and yellow colours of the rising sun. The sound of footsteps roused Minya from her crying. A familiar pair of eyes stared down from above. They too, looked stressed, and upset.
"I've already told you, there's no point in stressing."
Said a rough voice. The figure crouched down next to her.
"Minya, c'mon. This happens every year."
Minya was silent. Her teardrops stained the wooden floor she was laying on. Her hair spilled out on the floor, a foamy mass of chocolate curls.
She opened her pale lips to speak.
"I know but-"
She sighed.
"I'm just scared.
Of me being reaped.
Or you, even, Milo."
Milo frowned.
"The chances of that are very low Minya. Don't worry, nothing is going to happen to our family. Even if it did, we'll manage. We would win the Hunger Games. We're strong, our family."
Minya winced at the phrase, Hunger Games.
"The odds of any of us being reaped are low Minya." He reassured.
The odds are low.
But never zero.
Raiyhan Vale
Reaping Day. How fun.
Strangely, that name didn't fill Raiyhan with fear, unlike the rest of his cowardly district. He honestly did not care whether he was reaped or not. He'd die in the Games anyways, it was a waste dreading imminent death. Even if it wasn't by the Games, he'd die of starvation or disease in the poverty-ridden district anyways. Everyone died sooner or later, so what was the worry. At least, in the Games, it'd be an interesting death.
He stared at the rows upon rows of golden wheat with a grimace on his face. He hated his district, and all the people who lived there. He hated living in a poor District, and wished that he lived in the Capitol.
Oh boy, the Capitol. Sometimes, Raiyhan daydreamed of finally having enough food to eat for once, to go a winter without almost shivering to death. His mouth salivated at the thoughts of roast duck, even though he'd never seen one. It was one of those things you only heard by word of mouth here, duck. Practically a mythical animal.
He shook his head and scowled. Stupid daydreams like this wasn't going to get him anywhere. It wasn't going to be long before the Reaping began, and he had to admit, he was curious as to who was going to get reaped.
Surely it wouldn't be him. Right?
Right?
Idris Kallikrates
District Twelve.
A dirty, soot-covered district filled with poverty, disease and famine.
And standing there, was a dirty, soot-covered teen, almost dead from starvation and fresh from the mines. His eyes were filled with anger, as he looked around. Everyone was preparing for the Reaping. The idea of getting Reaped worried him a little, he wasn't fit to fight in his condition. Idris tried his best to train whenever he could, but mining took up most of his time.
Ugh, the mines. If the soot didn't kill him, surely the lashings from the Peacekeepers he received when he was late. would. He winced at the thought of another set of lashings. Fresh cuts had already covered his back, he really didn't need any new ones.
Another reason why he'd be at a disadvantage. Being wounded....before the Games.
Idris scowled.
He doubted the Careers suffered this much. They had food, and warmth. Surely they weren't beaten until there was no unmarked skin showing, right?
He glanced at the tall tower which showed a rusty clock.
Idris squinted at it. What time was it? His mother never cared to teach him how to tell the time, and as for his father....
That was a different story.
He frowned. Surely it was noon, right?
Idris sighed. Another disadvantage.
The Careers were definitely taught how to tell the time. Probably by their parents too.
Posted: Tue, 20/06/2023 01:17 (1 Year ago)
This. Is. Sparta.
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"Do birds cry? Did she cry when they
hit her?"
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Username - Serendibite
Character name - Majoree Sinclair
Age + DOB - 15 // 8th of May.
District - 4
Preferred Weapon / Skills - This person is weak. A leek would probably have a better chance at killing someone. She should probably conceal herself in a coffin and wait for death on her own time.
Strengths - Well fed. That's... about it. She's still a skinny mf.
Weaknesses - Everything.
Gender - Female.
Appearance - A short, skinny girl with a stubborn, round face. She has unnaturally light blue eyes and light skin, to contrast against her African features. Long, white hair. Often wears blue.
Personality - Majoree is a rather grumpy, insulting person, with little to no charisma and a natural prickliness which drives others away. She doesn't like other people, save for her sister, and perhaps her other siblings who she isn't as close with. Majoree loves admiration like affection, regardless of the cause, and feels discouraged over the simplest things without that. This harsh, rude girl is the opposite of naïve, and while not the best in school, is very good at discerning other's motives and reasons for their actions. While this is true, provided that someone gives her a good impression initially, she'll be quite trusting of them, and might make excuses for their crueller actions that don't line up with her image of them in her head. Overall, she's a very prickly, seemingly smug girl... and it'd be quite hard to get close to someone like that, wouldn't you say?
Ability - Can I say nothing? Otherwise she can... idk, talk to birds?
Family -
Unnamed Mother. Majoree and her mother are fairly distant. Majoree claims to despise her, but deep down the injury still cuts deep. She misses her more than she wants to admit.
Cotton Sinclair is Majoree's older brother. An absolute idiot. She wants to slap him 24/7. Dumbass. He can die.
Chia Sinclair. Majoree's closest sister. The two are slightly codependent. Majoree cares deeply for her, though she's never been sure if that sentiment has been fully returned.
History - Majoree was born to a wealthy family in District 9, the Sinclairs, one with historical ties back to the Capitol. During the rebellion, the Sinclairs supported the Capitol and released the locations of several very important rebels. Due to this, they enjoy a more luxurious life than those of the rest of the District- and have never, ever been drawn for the Reaping before.
Even as a kid, Majoree was very rebellious and non-conforming. Yeet.
Other -
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Username - Serendibite
Character name - Majoree Sinclair
Age + DOB - 15 // 8th of May.
District - 4
Preferred Weapon / Skills - This person is weak. A leek would probably have a better chance at killing someone. She should probably conceal herself in a coffin and wait for death on her own time.
Strengths - Well fed. That's... about it. She's still a skinny mf.
Weaknesses - Everything.
Gender - Female.
Appearance - A short, skinny girl with a stubborn, round face. She has unnaturally light blue eyes and light skin, to contrast against her African features. Long, white hair. Often wears blue.
Personality - Majoree is a rather grumpy, insulting person, with little to no charisma and a natural prickliness which drives others away. She doesn't like other people, save for her sister, and perhaps her other siblings who she isn't as close with. Majoree loves admiration like affection, regardless of the cause, and feels discouraged over the simplest things without that. This harsh, rude girl is the opposite of naïve, and while not the best in school, is very good at discerning other's motives and reasons for their actions. While this is true, provided that someone gives her a good impression initially, she'll be quite trusting of them, and might make excuses for their crueller actions that don't line up with her image of them in her head. Overall, she's a very prickly, seemingly smug girl... and it'd be quite hard to get close to someone like that, wouldn't you say?
Ability - Can I say nothing? Otherwise she can... idk, talk to birds?
Family -
Unnamed Mother. Majoree and her mother are fairly distant. Majoree claims to despise her, but deep down the injury still cuts deep. She misses her more than she wants to admit.
Cotton Sinclair is Majoree's older brother. An absolute idiot. She wants to slap him 24/7. Dumbass. He can die.
Chia Sinclair. Majoree's closest sister. The two are slightly codependent. Majoree cares deeply for her, though she's never been sure if that sentiment has been fully returned.
History - Majoree was born to a wealthy family in District 9, the Sinclairs, one with historical ties back to the Capitol. During the rebellion, the Sinclairs supported the Capitol and released the locations of several very important rebels. Due to this, they enjoy a more luxurious life than those of the rest of the District- and have never, ever been drawn for the Reaping before.
Even as a kid, Majoree was very rebellious and non-conforming. Yeet.
Other -
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Username - Serendibite
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Posted: Sat, 19/08/2023 13:24 (1 Year ago)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Enough time had passed so that each and every citizen of Panem was able to arrive in front of those massive, bleak stages in the middle of the districts. Numbers dwindled, spirits long forgotten, the aura of death clinging to them all like the manifestation of a sinner's wrongs, a haunting ghost clawing at their shoulders. The children were lined up as usual, the family members staying behind to watch anxiously, and the Peacekeepers took their place on the large podium. Everyone could feel the intense tension in the air. It was there. The eerie emptiness that stood upon them all, vacant spots in the field standing out like a Career would walking among District 12. Nobody had a family that remained completely standing, a vacant spot echoed a hole among every one of them. Either a father, a friend, a sister, a child, none were exempt.
Then the microphone began to buzz. An extravagantly dressed district chaperone had walked up on stage, their petrifying and plastic-like smile beaming out and paralyzing anyone unfortunate enough to be its victim. Their expression seemed unfazed, the exact same as it did every year, almost like nothing had ever happened.
"Welcome, citizens of Panem, to the 101st Reaping! Now, before we begin, there is a message from President Moon* I would like to share, how exciting!"
*Oh yeah, did I mention alternate realities? Yeaaaahhh in this one, Snow is dead lmao, more info on Moon later if I give enough sh*ts to do so :)
The chaperones spoke with a grave tone in their words, like each and every one of them was wrapped in chains. A bead of sweat glistened in the afternoon sun, dripping down their foreheads. Their eyes were mad, crazed, looking around frantically as though a beast lingered among the crowd. Tense as all hell, as if this message would be the last thing they saw. But it was all hidden behind that mask. That make-up covered, plastic smile mask. They held up that mask like their lives depended on it.
Whispering began among the crowds, the fear began to spread to them as well. The field upon which they stood boiled with a paralyzing intensity. The President never showed a personalized message to the entire District, let alone a surprise Reaping. Everything the Capitol did had structure, routine, rules to follow. The government ruled the land with a tight fist, suffocating the Districts until they were snuffed out. The past few months had been the exact opposite, complete and udder chaos, nothing seemed to make sense or maintain its familiarity. The government obviously tried their best to preserve the structure, but Peacekeepers and their strict adherence to law could only do so much. If they wanted to do a better job at covering this oddity up, they would have to change.
Change, not a commodity among most. Really the only change the Districts had were the Reapings, where their families would be torn apart by this horrific game, but was it really a change? Or was it a scheduled disruption, something to be expected? Either way, this plague seemed to be the most disrupting change of all, one not even the Capitol expected. How strange.
The screen flickered to life, casting a bright light among the crowd. A face soon appeared, moments after the device turned on. The face of the president, perfect golden brown skin, perfect icy blue eyes, perfect lips, and perfect caramel hair, all the curls seemed to be the same. It was a calming face, a pleasant one, but those eyes could say it all. Everyone knew those eyes could kill, those lips hid vicious fangs, and that skin was covered in the blood of thousands. She embodied power, and she did it behind the guise of perfection. Act loveable, hide those claws of yours for when your victims slept.
"Hello, Panem."
A pause, long enough for the whispering to be silenced and the eyes to be turned. That smooth, cold voice still managed to convey the overwhelming dominance the President held over each and every one of them.
"I hope this past season hasn't been too troubling for you, it's been a fine autumn after all."
A small uproar began. Anyone who was either dumb enough to dare make a sound during the speech or fearless enough not to consider the consequences began to speak up, a unanimous retort sounded among the crowds.
What the hell is going on?
"Now, now. We need not concern ourselves with those matters for now."
The crowd settled down. They realized. This wasn't just a personal message. The president was watching. This was live footage*.
*Yes I am aware the Reaping happens at different times for every District, they are all live recorded and the same general events occurred in each and every one of them.
"The 101st Hunger Games is upon us, and I thought a little surprise would spice things up a bit. My condolences for the close schedule, I understand some may still be in shock. Allow us to use this opportunity to liven up the mood, to return to normalcy once again. I can assure you that whatever may be troubling among you will cease to exist after this extravagant event. Now, we may begin the Reaping, as well as begin The Cleansing."
Before even a word could be spoken about whatever the President meant by those last words, a loudness began to sound from the stage. The chaperone had fallen, veins blackened and foam rising from the mouth. The previous victors for each District followed as well, the ones instructed to train and lead the Reaped before their time had come. Each and every one on stage had fallen, and the Peacekeepers began to circle the crowd, as if they were being caged.
Silence had fallen among them, before outbursts and frantic screams rang throughout the country. Everyone was sent into a frenzy, families of the fallen victors began to weep once more. Some eyes were pinned on the bodies, some where forced away. The commotion had gone on for what seemed like hours, but it was only a few minutes before a flare had rung and the president spoke once more.
"Welcome to the 101st Hunger Games, everyone. I will be your new host, and may the Games ever be on your favor. Please welcome your new tributes, [ Insert character names here ]."
Posted: Mon, 21/08/2023 15:59 (1 Year ago)
Pre-Reaping
She squeezed Milo's hand tightly. The boy looked nervously at her. "Don't worry, okay? There's a very small chance you'll be reaped. I highly doubt it'll happen." Golden eyes met hers, and shone with the start of tears pooling in his eyes. "Okay?" His voice caught in his throat.
Minya sighed. "Don't....don't say that. You can't promise that." She whispered.
It was almost time to leave, and walk to the dreaded Square, where she and Milo would be separated into their respective sections, marked by age and sex.
Milo didn't have to worry, he was tall, taller than most kids in the district, and he had decent strength.
Her, on the other hand...
Tiny, practically a twig, did she really stand a chance like Milo said? Or was everything he said just a lie to make her feel better?
She sighed, biting her lip, hoping the tears that threatened to spill went away. She couldn't cry now.
"Good luck, 'kay? I'll see you at home, after the Reaping." Milo muttered.
To be so hopeful, was something she wished she was. There was no doubt in Milo's head that they weren't going to get Reaped.
"Sure. I'll see you there." Minya whispered.
Home.
She closed her eyes and prayed. After the Reaping, she'd go home and see her brothers and sisters, right?
Right?
There was no chance...surely?
Present
MINYA REEDSHAW, DISTRICT 7!
. . .
"...what?" Her voice was hoarse. Her lip wobbled.
No. Nonononono-
"Can Minya Reedshaw please come up onto the stage?"
Impatient eyes met hers. She could hear the sympathetic murmurs across the crowd. Her stomach clenched. The last thing she needed was sympathy.
"NO! NO!" Roared a voice from the crowd.
Minya turned around.
Milo fought against the Peacekeepers, kicking and yelling and doing whatever he could do reach the stage.
"MINYA!" He yelled.
Minya couldn't speak.
"MIN-"
His yell was cut short. A Peacekeeper brought his gun over the boy's head and struck him on the side. He crumpled to the ground like a sack of potatoes.
Minya couldn't breathe. Was he dead? Why- Why- Why-
Small pearly tears ran down her cheeks.
Dammit.
Pathetic.
That's what she was, pathetic.
A tiny snivelling creature.
What good was she for the Games?
Raiyhan Vale
Pre-Reaping
THUNK
An axe came crashing down on a log, splitting it in two.
Raiyhan wiped the sweat off his forehead, panting.
When he was young, his father always used to tell him to chop wood, and that it helped him manage anger,
It was one of the few useful things his father ever told him.
Raiyhan remembered watching his father, chopping log after, log, a simple but easy way to cope with anger.
If it was so easy, then why did his father stop?
Why did he decide take all his anger on his son instead of an oak log?
Raiyhan sighed and rubbed his temples, groaning.
What changed?
What happened to his father?
Possibly it was the shock of his mother's death. So quick, so sudden. She didn't even look ill.
Maybe that took a toll on good 'ol Pops, eh?
Would things have been different if his mother was still here?
Present
RAIYHAN VALE!
His eyes widened slightly, and his stomach clenched. Raiyhan felt a little nauseous.
So then, he got Reaped. That....sucks.
He shuffled slowly to the stage, swallowing nervously. This was an appropriate reaction right? For someone being carted to their imminent death? He pondered whether to shed a tear or too, and make it believable.
Because oddly, he wasn't that bothered. Or maybe he was in shock. Who knows?
His hands were shaking. Perhaps the realisation of what just happened dawned on him. In a few hours, he'd arrive at the Captiol, a city of luxury and riches. Then in a few days, he'd be chucked in the Arena, to face the horrors those twisted Gamemakers had planned for him. He cursed internally, if he'd been from a different district, he might have an advantage. Raiyhan wished that he was a Career. Oh, to be a Career. He bet that they even hoped to be Reaped. They wouldn't have to worry, the Careers.
But he did.
Idris Kallikrates
Present
DISTRICT 12.....IDRIS KALLIKRATES!
.....
.......
All eyes were on him. He felt sick. Idris clenched his knuckles and stared at the sky. They were waiting for him, they were, waiting for him to choke, start sobbing, screaming, the usual reaction to getting Reaped. But he wouldn't let himself cry. Crying was for the weak, and the weak never survive the Games.
Survival.
That was priority no.1. Well, duh. He wasn't going to die out there, was he?
He gritted his teeth.
Then the female tribute was called.
Cindy Braithwaite!
A plain-looking, pasty faced girl stood next to him. She was nothing special, dirty blonde hair covered in soot, sour expression on her face, masking the tears that started to pool in her eyes.
She looked completely and utterly...pathetic.
Her family was one of the 'wealthier' families in District 12....as wealthy as one living in the poorest district can be.
...that was his District partner?
He shook his head.
District 12 was hopeless.
Posted: Mon, 21/08/2023 17:13 (1 Year ago)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mei sat through the presentation, becoming so bored she began to count the pebbles below her feet. It was like this every year, she never really cared about the theatrics until the names began to be called. Even a message from the president herself couldn't get Mei to care, it was all just blabbering anyways. Sure, she respected President Moon a little bit for her... unethical way of things, but she hated the government more, it wasn't enough respect to care much.
At least, not until her final sentence before the bodies started to drop. She lifted her head, not even a girl like her was immune to the confusion that swept among them all. The moment her eyes laid on the stage, corpses began to take the place of those who once stood there.
Her eyes widened. Those lavender irises stared in shock and excitement, the grin tugging at her mouth stayed dormant. She only knew a few of many victors that stood on stage, and absolutely none of them she had a care for.
"Welcome to the 101st Hunger Games, everyone. I will be your new host, and may the Games ever be on your favor. Please welcome your new tributes, Mei Akamatsu and [ Too lazy to come up with a name ] of District 2."
...Oh?
Well this was certainly interesting.
Mei stood in place for a moment, contemplating. It all happened so fast, really. The shock of witnessing those bodies, paired with her name being called? Yeah, sure was surprising. She only snapped out of it when she noticed a figure in white approach her out of the corner of her eye, in which she shot a glare in reply. The audacity and impatience of these men offended her, returning her glistening expression into one filled with annoyance. Her feet began to walk, not even bothering to look over at the male tribute as he walked forwards as well. Either willingly or forcibly by the Peacekeepers, she could not tell and she could not bother. She waved off the figures with a grumble and continued walking, whipping around to glare at a pushy Peacekeeper who dared to get too close. "You're a few years too late, a**hole... I know how to walk perfectly fine without some idiot holding my hand, go back to being a statue of a b***h will ya?" She snapped at them, groaning a little bit before continuing her walk up the stairs.
She paused, right before reaching the top of the stairs. The Peacekeepers were still standing behind her, not returning to their positions. "...Oh? You want some advice? Well, for starters, your stance is sloppy, you're such an eyesore among the crowd, no wonder why people hate you so much! I recommend at least doin' the wave while you're standing there, looking like an idiot. Maybe if you do it well enough, it'll scare District 2 into submission!" She waved her fingers as a goodbye as she winked, finally making it to the designated place set for her on stage. Among the land of bodies, on top of the entire District.
She could feel the president's eyes narrowing on the screen behind her, clearly not amused with her antics, but President Moon didn't dare say a word. District 2 wasn't the only one this broadcast was shared to, after all.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mar stood in silence the entire time, his focus was mostly on the two children he brought with him. He could see both of them through the tiny openings in the bodies in front of him, there was so little people that it wasn't hard to see the front. They both looked scared, terrified of being drawn. It made his heart sink, but he did nothing and instead turned his eyes to the president.
He found it odd, sure, but nothing to be worked up about. A personalized message for an unplanned Reaping. He was just about to look back at the children before a loud thud caught his attention. His eyes whipped back to the stage, only to see the fallen. The chaperone, and the few victors that stood on stage. His silence was unshaken, but his unwavering control over his own body could not say the same. Mar's eyes grew, his hands began to shake, the dryness in his throat began to ache, and all he could do was look back down at those in front of them.
They were screaming, frantically trying to escape the horror in any way they could. Chaos broke loose, the children of the district began to scatter and fall out of their lines. Some tried to go back to their families, some tried to run on stage, but the circle of Peacekeepers prevented that from happening.
Mar went to the two children, who could only stand in shock. They stood staring at the blackened veins, the rolled eyes, the foaming mouths. Tears fell from their eyes. All he could do was turn them around and comfort them the best he could.
He knew not all the children in that cabin were truly orphans, some of them ran away from home and ended up there. Some of them left behind families, those that they were old enough to remember. He knew that one of these children had a victor up on stage, one they left behind. One that didn't even know they were still alive. They died thinking their little sibling died in the woods.
The crowd calmed down eventually and the president spoke once again. Mar never left the two he was with. Within a moment, the bodies in his hands, standing right next to them, began quivering once more. They looked back up at him, tears filling their eyes once again. Their wails and sobs were drowned out in his ears.
"Welcome to the 101st Hunger Games, everyone. I will be your new host, and may the Games ever be on your favor. Please welcome your new tributes, Minya Reedshaw and Daischön Zahpar of District 7."
...Him? Why... Him?
He couldn't move, he couldn't think, he only stood in silence. Only when the two standing next to him began to yell in protest at the Peacekeepers approaching did he move. He couldn't risk them getting hurt. He couldn't... He couldn't risk... He...
He knelt down, putting a small smile on his face. He put his hands on each of their shoulders. He couldn't hide the tear welling up in his eye. "I'll be fine, don't worry. I'll go, I'll be fine. Take care of everyone for me, alright?"
Those words hurt more than he could ever imagine. Never feel, never worry, just focus on living. That was what he lived by. Didn't care for much, but this... This hurt. He was saying those words for himself, hoping, praying they would be true. He had already accepted death long ago when it first started knocking on his door, but not like this. Not to these stupid games.
Eventually he got up, somehow his expression immediately hardening to the stoic stare that wrote his reputation. Swatting off the Peacekeepers, he made his way onto the stage, only being stopped by a harsh scream. A name. It wasn't his, but it was familiar. Was it...
"MINYA!"
It was the other tribute. He paused, looking between the one who cried out and the tribute he called out to. Within seconds the Peacekeeper already had it handled. Held a gun to his head. Let his body crumble. And all he could do was turn away. Keep walking. He couldn't even look back at the other tribute.
"I volunteer! I-I volunteer as tribute!"
...What?
Mar was already on stage, but his body froze as his gaze shot to the voice who spoke. It was an older girl, nicely dressed too. She... volunteered for Minya? It wasn't common for a volunteer in this District.
"I believe I have not made it clear enough, have I not? Miss Gutbourgh, the tributes were not chosen at random this time around. There will be no volunteers, those who have been chosen will be the final roster for the games."
...And another gun was sound. The one who attempted to volunteer crumpled to the ground, much like the one who cried out moments before.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Liela took her spot in front of the crowd, among other girls her age, waiting patiently for the Reaping to begin. Hands behind her back, stand up straight, smile. Be a good girl, this is the day you've been waiting for.
"Liela please, you don't want to do this! I-It's not a game! I... I don't want you to-"
Her smile faltered. She gazed upon her older sibling, walking up on stage. Stand up straight, smile. Smile and wave, the entire District is watching. She looked so positive, like she was proud to be one of the many victors. She looked so strong, unwavering, a shining star among dim lights. Even when a plague haunted the nation, she looked the same as she did years past.
"You watched, didn't you? You watched me? You saw what they did to me?!"
"You saw what they did to me?!"
Liela's blood ran cold. She locked eyes with Milla, the eyes stained with years and years of pain. She kept the smile on, Liela didn't. Even then, that smile seemed empty and faded.
They used you for entertainment, broke you down until you were a shell of a man. Force you to fill yourself up with fake, empty garbage and used you as a doll. She was right all along, wasn't she? This was the first time Liela had seen her sister this way, and the words she spoke this morning...
Before she could dwell on it any longer, the screen flickered on. The president began to speak. The bodies began to drop dead.
The bodies began to drop dead.
The president spoke and they all dropped. The Cleansing. They all dropped dead.
A scream broke out among the crowd. One much louder than the rest. It screamed one name and one name alone, a voice broken by wails and sobs within a moment. A little girl began clawing her way to the front, stumbling up the stairs. The Peacekeepers stepped in, restraining her, pushing her back, ready to fire the gun pressed to her temple. Before the shot could fire, the president spoke once more.
"Now now, no need to panic."
The president was unable to address the little girl directly, but she swore she could feel Moon stare directly at her tear-filled eyes through the screen. The Peacekeepers held her limbs so tightly she swore they would snap, but the pain didn't matter to her any longer. She kept fighting, kept screaming, kept desperately trying to reach the stage.
"I assure you that these measures are taken for the greater good of Panem. Now, please welcome Liela Daelbrook and [ Shaggy McStinkface ] of District 4."
In that moment, the Peacekeepers let go of the girl, allowing her to run up the stage where she was needed. She didn't care that her name was called, she didn't care the crowd had gone silent, she didn't care if there were hundreds of eyes staring silently at her, she only cared about Milla. Her one and only family member left standing. Now, she was lying on stage, bulging eyes rolled back into her head, blackened veins snaking her neck and arms, foam still pouring from her mouth. She looked particularly worse than the other victors and chaperone who met the same fate, almost as if her dosage of whatever had killed them were doubled.
Liela cried and screamed, tears falling like a waterfall onto the body of the girl she knelt over. Shaking, shaking her body, screaming her name, anything that could wake her up. As the seconds went by, as the weight of grief began to sink deeper and deeper into Liela, her soul began to tear more and more. A part of her was dead, the only person she loved was dead, the one who did whatever it took to make her happy was dead. She couldn't accept it, she didn't want to, but the weight was enough. Her heart shattered to pieces, her mind began to numb, her body was not even her own anymore.
That was when her whole world collapsed around her, when the world faded to black.
Posted: Mon, 21/08/2023 21:36 (1 Year ago)
"I volunteer! I-I volunteer as tribute!"
Minya's eyes scanned the crowd. Who was it? Who volunteered? Who would be her saviour?
Would she- would she be free?
Her heart raced as her eyes found the source of the voice. A girl, much taller than she was, much stronger. She could put up a fight, couldn't she?
"I believe I have not made it clear enough, have I not? Miss Gutbourgh, the tributes were not chosen at random this time around. There will be no volunteers, those who have been chosen will be the final roster for the games."
...her heart sank. Of course. She was so foolish, so stupid to even think she had a slight chance of getting out of this. Her chest felt tight.
Minya glanced up at her District partner.
What was his name again?
Day- Dee- Daischon?
Daischon Zaphar, huh.
What a strange name. She couldn't even pronounce it. Day-shoon? Dee-shoon? Die-shkon???
She pursed her lips. He was tall enough, looked strong enough too. Minya squinted at him. He didn't look remotely nervous. Maybe it was an act, acting all 'tough guy', to mask the terror?
Minya looked at the ground. It seemed to work on the audience. She, however, looked on the verge of tears.
BANG!
Minya looked up to see that poor girl crumple to the ground.
She couldn't breathe. Her eyes welled with tears.
Minya wanted to scream, cry, shriek, anything. She wanted to leave desperately.
Posted: Wed, 23/08/2023 16:33 (1 Year ago)
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All the tributes had arrived on stage, all the theatrics were finished, and now they were instructed to enter the visitation room. The screen had long been shut off, leaving the Peacekeepers to do their job to guide the 2 chosen from each District. Some went without struggle, some protested, and some fought. Once instance was Liela, who wailed and screamed until her voice gave out and she was left with barely even a sound to match her pain-filled expression. She fought against the Peacekeepers, pushing them away until she didn't have the strength to fight any longer. She begged and begged for them to let her stay with her sister, but in the end she was dragged to the visitation room along with the male tribute. There, each of them met with their families for one last goodbye.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mei... Well, she didn't exactly have any family or friends to come visit her. She simply stood in silence, arms crossed while she waited the excruciatingly long amount of time they were allowed before their fun little choo choo ride. She decided to just sit down, watch the male tribute hold a dangerously thin mask over himself as he had to say goodbye to his family. She recognized his dad, one of the best blacksmiths in town. She also knew him as the guy who was very fun at parties, the local tavern loved him.
Now, how would she know that? Said tavern served some damn good juice of course, her favorite was the grape one. Rarely had to pay, even if she insisted. That man was somehow wealthy enough to supply the entire bar full of people with drinks, and honestly she wasn't going to question it.
Mei rarely saw his mother though, always at home doing the chores, she was a softspoken and gentle woman. Good family, always reliable as well. Such a shame their only son was essentially being sent off to war. They all looked heartbroken, especially the tribute himself. She had a feeling there was something else bothering him, but she couldn't quite place her finger on it. Maybe he personally knew one of the victors? There were a lot of them for her District after all. Oh well, she didn't really care.
They all tried to remain strong, say they were proud of their son, hoping he would do well. They were already saying their goodbyes, nothing was guaranteed after all. It was nice, honestly, nothing like any of the horror stories of the visitation rooms she had heard from snooping around on the victors.
Soon though, the time was up, and they all gave their final hugs and usured their son off to the train, right behind Mei. Now, she wasn't paying attention, but she swore she could've heard them wishing her the best as well.
Aww how sweet, totally needed that. She almost laughed at the absurdity of it all, but instead she just continued onward without a sound to be made.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mar went along without a fight, keeping his head up and eyes ahead, walking slowly to the room along with the Peacekeepers. Once there, a small commotion began, and his side was soon crowded by a group of familiar faces. A sigh was let out from his lips, and a small, melancholic smile cracked through his hardened expression. He knelt down to meet them face-to-face, not yet saying a word. He only listened, listened to their sobs, listened to their shaky breathing, listened to their pleads. They didn't want him to go, even from a young age most of them knew what was to come. He didn't dare say a word, he didn't dare move, he only let them embrace his presence and beg to him to stay. He knew that if he moved, his shell would crack and crumble. Not now, he couldn't do that now.
Time was almost up, the Peacekeepers gave the notice. Mar stood up and looked at the figure in the corner, shrouded in clothes and a hate-filled aura. She had not said a word since coming here, but her sharpened glare spoke a thousand words. She hoped he would never return, she hoped the kids she brought would feel the pain of watching him slowly die. She didn't dare speak, but her gaze matched his. It was intimidating, terrifying even, but Mar simply walked away and his smile dropped almost instantly.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
All she could hear was silence. The throbbing in her head made it impossible to hear anything, the memory of watching her sister fall played over and over again like it was a damn movie. She couldn't move, Liela could barely even breathe. The poor girl was at her limit already, what a shame. Sitting motionless and dumbfounded while everything around her continued on as usual. The world still continued to turn, time still continued to pass, but her world had already crumbled to dust long ago. Really just goes to show how insignificant one's life could be in the grand scheme of things, huh?
Time had past, the minutes were up, the male tribute and his family said their goodbyes and the two were ushered onto the luxurious locomotive. Liela was dragged along without any struggle, like a mindless lamb heading towards the slaughterhouse. She had already accepted her fate, and she didn't care anymore.
Posted: Thu, 24/08/2023 11:02 (1 Year ago)
Tears rolled down her eyes. It was all so quick, first the Reaping, now Milo- she couldn't bear it.
The Peacekeepers led her to a small room, where she was quickly enveloped in hugs.
"Minya! Minya! Is it true? You really got Reaped?" They called.
She smiled sadly. "It's okay. Just don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I'll be back home soon, 'kay?"
"You promise?" Whispered the smallest.
"Of course, Luna. You know me, I never break a promise-...where's mother and father?" She said suddenly.
The children shrugged.
"Hospital. 'Cause....Milo." Mumbled Luna.
Minya's heart sank. "Is he okay?"
Another shrug.
"Oh." Minya whispered.
"You'll be back home soon, right, Minya? We can play hide and seek when you're back, right?"
Hide and Seek was Luna's favourite game.
"Of course. I'll be the Seeker."
"Time's up Miss Reedshaw." Grunted a Peacekeeper.
"No- wait- five more minutes. Please?"
"No can do miss, unless you want your siblings here to end up like dear old Milo."
Minya's fists clenched. "Alright then." She spat. "Goodbye, all of you. I'll be back soon, okay? That's a promise."
"Pinky promise?" Said Luna.
"Pinky promise."
Raiyhan Vale
"Son."
"Dad." Raiyhan mumbled. He didn't look up from the ground.
"I know things between us have been....hard, at times, but-"
"But what, Dad? You gonna act all sorry, now? Before I'm carted off to imminent death? Is the last thing you wanna tell me before I go to the Games, 'I'm sorry', just so you can die with a guilt-free conscience?"
...
"I don't care about your 'sorries', they won't cut it, Dad." Raiyhan's voice faltered. He clenched his fists.
"Son-"
"I don't care! I don't care about anything you have to say. What am I supposed to do with 'sorry', eh? Forgive you for these past six years?"
"....Good luck." Raiyhan's father grunted.
Raiyhan's eyes rolled. "What am I gonna need luck for? I don't need to be lucky if I'm planning on dying."
"My wife- your mother, think about what she'd say right now. She'd hate to see you all like this....all....lazy. You've given up before you've even started-"
"My mother, your wife, is dead. It's been six years. Why can't you let this go? You know what she'd hate to see? How you've turned into the biggest a**hole a father can ever-"
"Time's up.
He glared at his father, before turning his back on him and trudging off.
Idris Kallikrates
A minute passed.
Then two, then three.
Then five minutes passed.
No one came.
It was to be expected, of course. No one ever came. His parents didn't care for him anyways, and he was never the type to make friends.
He sighed.
"Can I go now?" Idris spat.
"You have ten minutes left, Kallikrates."
"Ten minutes left to do what? Stare at my shoelaces? Oh come on, no one is going to come here anyways."
There was no response.
Idris let out a very loud, very over-the-top groan and slumped in his seat.
"100 bottles of milk on the wall, 100 bottles of milk, you take one down, pass it around, 99 bottles of milk on the wall." He muttered. "How long left?"
"Still ten minutes."
Idris groaned again.
..."99 bottles of milk on the wall, 99 bottles of milk..."
Posted: Mon, 02/10/2023 17:40 (1 Year ago)
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Everyone had taken their spots on the trains, the doors had closed and it seemed as though it would begin its journey to the Capitol in just a few minutes. Nobody around to tell the tributes that though, leaving the emptiness of it all to lay down an ominous feeling. Normally, the chaperones and previous victors would've joined each tribute in their respective district, give them a lovely tour, introduce them all to everything this luxurious ride had in store.
But well... If you've been paying attention, all of them were dead. Like, dead-dead. This is worth 20% of your grade, better be taking notes.
So here they sat, all in silence. Most of the tributes have taken a seat in the main cab by now, probably as far away as they could from the other, and simply waited. None of the trains have moved, not a single thing was done.
Actually I lied, only minutes later did the screens along the walls flicker on once again and that haunting face was shown once more. She had a gentle, welcoming smile, and it seemed as though the message that would follow would be personalized for every cab. Some later than others, but it still showed nonetheless.
"Hello, tributes. I apologize for the inconveniences, but we will now be departing shortly."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mei took her seat in the far corner of the cab, glaring at the male tribute with her arms crossed as he followed behind her. Seems as though he got the message, since he took his seat in the opposite corner, obviously uneased by the whole thing. So far, he didn't look too fond of Mei, so I guess that was mission accomplished.
Her eyes gazed around the room momentarily, almost expecting someone to appear out of nowhere to be in place of their chaperones, but there was no such person. Mei was almost relieved at the fact, knowing that meant she wouldn't have to deal with all the annoying nagging she always knew would come. God those make-up obsessed freaks were insufferable, she almost had a slight hint of joy upon seeing them crumble.
"Hello, tributes. I apologize for the inconveniences, but we will now be departing shortly."
Mei almost jumped in her seat upon hearing that voice again, out of nowhere as well. Talk about a double whammy... Instead, she only raised her head and leaned her head back to take a look at the screen, her expression seemed unamused. A scoff was let out though, followed by a rude remark that was muttered under her breath.
"Pfft, apology my ass, good to hear the murder of your loyal little slaves is only just a minor 'inconvenience' to ya... Reeeeeaally reassuring, y'know?"
A small, awkward silence followed, the male tribute only glaring at her like she was insane, and the woman on screen remaining unchanged.
"It was done for the greater good, as I'm sure you understand, Akamatsu."
"Heh, and the victors? Surely their demise was for the greater good too, hm? Won your silly little game and got played right into your next one, talk about backstabbing!"
The mood seemed to shift, instead of an insulted expression on the president as one would normally expect, it was instead slightly amused.
"I'm sure both you and I are aware of the situation at hand, I am only doing what is best for Panem."
Mei let out a sarcastic chuckle, her tone becoming more challenging and her expression growing more amused as well. Moon was talking about the disease, wasn't she? Couldn't outright say it, couldn't show that things were going out of hand in this precious little country of hers, but those words were enough to come to a mutual understanding.
"And the tributes? The Games? Wonder how we little pawns play into your big game, unless you're trying to get checkmate blindfolded..."
A small laugh came from the screen, and the President's fake demeanor seemed to drop for a moment.
"Just keeping up with tradition, my dear. I have to control the little brats somehow, right? Survival of the fittest and all, a simple concept really."
Before Mei could comment on anything she said, Moon continued on as if that entire conversation never happened, explaining the layout of the train and the expected schedule like any chaperone would. Supposedly, there was only one train travelling between the districts this time around, and each cab supposedly had the tributes from their assigned districts. Moon said this was for "connection purposes" and "getting a little bonding time in," y'know, all that fake BS.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mar walked onto the train with his gaze fixed on the ground in front of him, his expression not looking very pleasant. Like many of the other tribute pairs, he took his place far away from Minya and decided to just leave himself closed off, make the ride less complicated. He didn't even know the frail-looking girl, he only knew the exchange she had between the Peacekeepers. He hardly paid attention to her and what he assumed to be her family at the visitation center either. Mar could see the tears drying up under her eyes as she walked in, might even still be flowing, so he decided it best to just leave her alone. Besides, building connections wasn't his style anyways, and that wasn't how he wanted to go into the games anyways.
"Hello, tributes. I apologize for the inconveniences, but we will now be departing shortly."
Mar didn't even bother with a reply, he automatically assumed it was all pre-recorded anyways. He didn't really care much about what Moon had to say in the first place, he honestly just wanted a nap. Before he could even close his eyes, the voice spoke once again.
"I'm sure you may be a little hungry by now, I have prepared a lovely assortment of cheeses, fruits, meats, and other freshly made snacks in the cooler under the center island. Please, help yourself, it's a once in a lifetime experience after all."
Maybe she was only saying that to fill the silence, or it was her way of filling in for their designated chaperone, but either way it was still plenty awkward enough. When more silence came in reply, Moon gave a sigh and continued on. She again gave the layout of the train, explaining the small details, gave the assumed schedule, all with that obviously fake, welcoming tone.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Liela looked like a zombie walking into her part of the train cab. She had to basically be dragged to a random chair in the room by the Peacekeepers, since her legs didn't seem to be moving themselves. The poor girl looked soulless, not a speck of life left in those eyes and not an ounce of a will in those bones of hers. The male tribute simply walked on by, finding a far away seat while occasionally glancing back at Liela. It was like one of those horrific scenes in a movie, it was so terrifying and repulsive that you couldn't stand to look at whatever was happening but at the same time, you couldn't take your eyes off of it. The girl didn't even bother to care, it didn't even seem like she was aware of anything going on around her in the first place. Not even like she was living in the same reality anymore.
"Hello, tributes. I apologize for the inconveniences, but we will now be departing shortly."
Hurts, doesn't it? Hearing that voice again, poking and prodding at your memories to ignite some little spark in that mindless head of yours. When the rest of the world laid in silence, that voice and that face on the TV screen became the megahorn.
An inconvenience. An inconvenience.
Was that really all this was to her? An inconvenience? Was her sister really just that insignificant to the President? She had already pretty much died for them when she went into that arena, then became one of their little puppets and this was what she got in return? The most selfless, gentle, sweet, caring, incredible human being in this s****y, pathetic, depressing world, only to be killed in one of the most painful ways possible and called an inconvenience. She did everything for Liela, she risked so much and did some of the hardest things imaginable just to make sure she was happy.
But it all amounted to nothing in the end, did it? The Capitol didn't care about her, she had no family other than Liela to keep her company, and the only thing she seemingly tried to do with her life was make Liela's better. Make her happy. Make sure she was safe and had everything she could ever want. But now the little girl she so desperately wanted to keep safe was being hauled away as a tribute, a prisoner to the same hell she endured. Now the little girl she so desperately wanted to make happy had her entire world crumble right in front of her eyes.
Crumble right in front of her eyes.
Those words only brought back the vivid memory of seeing her sister's body become infected with the nastiest poison known to man, eating her up from the inside while making sure the mind slowly but surely went insane from the agonizing pain. Knowing this only made it worse, that poison made their victims die slowly and was meant to torture. From the untrained eye, it would appear as though the victim dies almost instantly, as soon as their paralyzed body hits the ground. But nah, only if they're lucky. You'd have to pray you hit something lethal on the way down if you knew what was best for you.
But she got double the dosage, double the suffering. You could tell, couldn't you?
A haunting wail was let out, followed by agonizing sobs filled with sorrow. Incomprehensible screams were heard in between, and they were all coming from Liela. She had balled herself up on the chair she sat on, pulling her knees to her chest and burrowing her head in them while she hopelessly wept. She couldn't handle it anymore, she had already broke from the horrors once, and not even her remains were given mercy. They were just being massacred for the hell of it, making sure that the broken pieces had no chance.
Posted: Mon, 02/10/2023 22:12 (1 Year ago)
"Hello, tributes. I apologize for the inconveniences, but we will now be departing shortly."
Inconveniences? Inconveniences?
Her brother was probably dead thanks to the scum that was the Peackeepers, and Moon was calling it an inconvenience.
Minya scowled, balling up her fists.
Oh she'd- she'd-
"I'm sure you may be a little hungry by now, I have prepared a lovely assortment of cheeses, fruits, meats, and other freshly made snacks in the cooler under the center island. Please, help yourself, it's a once in a lifetime experience after all."
Snacks?
Minya grinned.
She'd beat the crap out of Moon....after eating.
He grimaced. Moon and her bullcrap...as usual.
He chose to ignore it. Nothing else he could do, right?
Idris scanned his surroundings, glaring at the other tributes. Some unfortunately looked like proper Victor material.
He scowled. He didn't think he stood a chance....but he would've loved to not die first.
Die.
Idris shuddered. The threat of death loomed over him ominously.
He didn't stand a chance, did he?
He lowered his head.
Screams.
Loud, piercing, wails. His ears started ringing.
Shrieks.
Wails.
...sounded like-
....
It wasn't the time for the past yet.
He walked up to the screaming girl.
"...hey? You alright?"
Raiyhan you literal dumbass, it's obvious that she's not okay.
He internally cursed himself.
"....um..." He crouched next to her, giving her an awkward, hopefully reassuring, pat on the back. "...just....let it out? Sometimes it's better that way." He mumbled.
Posted: Fri, 01/12/2023 18:40 (11 Months ago)
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Ugh. The silence was getting on her nerves, this train ride was already long enough. President Moon had mentioned that the cabs were open to go between, and Mei assumed all the tributes had been picked up already, so... It wouldn't hurt to do a bit of exploring, right? It was obvious her district partner didn't want to talk, given his closed off demeanor and "slightly" disgusted expression towards Mei.
Oh well, his loss, ammiright? Who wouldn't want to talk to the borderline psychopathic one-eyed one-horned flying purple people eater? Well, her little journey was about to answer that, even though the results were pretty obvious from the start. But first...
There was food, right? Man, she was starving. She got up from her chair and began to grab a plate, filling it up with everything that appealed to her while occasionally chucking some over at the male tribute, not once looking in his direction while doing so. After he had muttered an annoyed remark under his breath, Mei responded with a giggle before moving to the other cars.
Nothing significant happened until District 4's car, which was occupied with three people this time. Huh. Looked like someone had the same idea she did. Oh, and there was a little girl wailing her butt off like a baby, that too.
"Awww, does someone miss their mommy? Cheer up bucko, it would be such a shame if you died crying!" Mei snickered, chucking a slice of kiwi at both Liela and Raiyhan's face before moving on, making sure to hit the other guy in the room with a cheese cube as well.
Again, nothing significant happened other than being yelled at and called various things by her targets until she reached District 7's car, where the cab was completely silent and the tributes inside were doing nothing thus far. Well, the tiny girl seemed to be eyeing the snacks, but the male looked like he was trying to take a nap or something. How... Boring. She started by chucking a grape at Daischön, then cheese at Minya. Mei decided to throw a few more blocks at her for the hell of it, almost desperate for a reaction at this point, but she was starting to run low on snacks.
Insert joke about Mei chucking her entire plate at the invisible ghost that occupied cab 9 here.
Last but not least, cab 12, home to the infamous District 12 tributes. Honestly at this point, Mei was surprised the Capitol still brought them in. Their District was hit hardest by the plague due to the extreme poverty, and they were the District with the least success in the Games anyways. Oh well, just another pair of rats to toy with I guess. She entered the car and observed the two tributes.
Then she immediately chucked an entire orange at Idris's face, and a watermelon slice at she who must not be named. Now she was done for the day.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mar took one last glance at Minya before shutting his eyes for a nap, taking note of the apparent rage that she now held before doing so. No wonder, Moon's words set him off a little as well, he was just too lazy to act on it. As soon as the snacks were mentioned though, those small eyes seemed to jump priorities. Unfortunately, he was a bit too preoccupied with his own things to have room for being hungry, so he didn't share the same.
Before the edgy nightmare backstory could be inserted during his nap time, a small thud to his forehead woke him from his slumber. The grape fell into his lap and he simply stared at it with annoyance. He only barely caught a glimpse of the purple-haired tribute as she targeted Minya before walking out. Oh lovely... It seemed they had a class clown after all. He groaned as he got up to throw the grape away, and before he walked back he figured he might as well grab a bite while he was up.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"...hey? You alright?"
A piercing chill went through her entire body, one that inevitably led to her sobs being stopped by an immediate choke. Instead of the rushing thoughts that eroded at her mind, the presence of another tribute made it go completely blank. What a harsh snap back to reality.
But the chill had a reason for its near paralysis, it was a reminder of where she was and her circumstances. Liela couldn't even think after what had happen, didn't even consider what could be a result of her childishness. Sure, she didn't want to become the Victor and live in such a lonely world much longer, but... The least she could do was try, right? If she made herself an easy target, that would just be...
She couldn't bear to think about it anymore, she couldn't risk the sobs returning. Other tributes were around her now, everyone that would eventually perish by each other's hands. She was headed to the Capitol for heaven's sake, there were cameras pinned on her at this very moment. That crying fit only labeled her as the weakest one here, to both the entirety of Panem and the tributes, and that just meant...
She continued to hold herself in a ball, but angrily wiped away her tears and quickly hushed up her sniffling. Her eyes only gazed emptily on the ground in front of her, and no reply came out of her mouth.
It didn't matter if she was "okay" or not, it wouldn't matter in the end, at least. The Games would still continue, as would everything else. There was nothing she could do, and in the end, her tears were shed for nothing.
The pat on the back made her flinch, but it somewhat did its job at least. It calmed her down a bit, but it somehow still stung. Just old memories, itching away at the open wound.
"...just....let it out? Sometimes it's better that way."
"I'm... fine now. Thanks," She muttered bluntly, her voice rasp and quiet as a result of the endless screaming it had to endure. Her tone almost seemed... Bitter, as well. She began to close her eyes for a moment, just trying to find a moment to recollect, but it was all interrupted by a slice of kiwi hitting her head and a taunting voice that followed.
"Awww, does someone miss their mommy? Cheer up bucko, it would be such a shame if you died crying!"
In a moment, Liela's sorrows turned into anger, which spilt the last of her tears onto her knees. She balled up her fists and glared at the girl, wanting so desperately to scream at her and make her pay for what she said. Run up to her and pummel her face, refute those words and made sure she paid for dare saying that to her. She didn't have the strength to get up though, so all she could do was mutter some utterly horrifying words under her breath and give Mei a piercing stare that could rival her own.
In short, Liela would remember that.
Posted: Fri, 01/12/2023 19:10 (11 Months ago)
POW!
Cheese cube to the face.
POW!
Another.
Minya's face contorted into into a scowl as she was attacked by another cheese cube.
Seriously, how many cheese cubes did this girl have?
By the fourth one, Minya attempted to catch it in her mouth. Unfortunately she didn't possess the correct cheese-catching qualities needed for said task, and the deranged cheese-lobber had long gone.
She raised an eyebrow at the guy who's name i can't spell, as if to say What the hell was that about?
help daiko i laughed too much at that mei post
"I'm... fine now. Thanks,"
"...that's good." He managed a small smile and-
POW!
Kiwi slice to the face.
Raiyhan cursed, getting up and giving Mei the finger.
He glanced at the banquet lay before him nervously.
There were dishes he'd never seen before, unfamiliar aromas and animals he didn't know the name of.
It was weird.
He reached for an orange dish that looked like soup and-
POW!
An entire orange to the face.
He didn't flinch, just looked up at Mei, scowling. There was a murderous look on his face.
".....what the hell was the point of that?" He spat. "Tryna make enemies? Before the Games?" Idris scoffed. "You have a death wish, don't you? Or are you just plain crazy?"
Idris grimaced.
"More like the ultimate psychopath.." He muttered.
omg danganronpa reference omg!!!!11!1!!!1
Posted: Fri, 01/12/2023 19:53 (11 Months ago)
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Mei could almost feel the middle finger being stuck up at her, and the thought made her smile. Such a shame nobody came after her though, guess they weren't gullible enough to chase after her. Would've made things a lot less boring around here though...
".....what the hell was the point of that? Tryna make enemies? Before the Games? You have a death wish, don't you? Or are you just plain crazy?"
Crazy? I was crazy once. They locked me in a room. A rubber room. A rubber room with rats. The rats made me crazy. Crazy? I was-
This line was cut short by a suspiciously shaped full-sized gourd being chucked at the writer.
Ironic how well that fit, might as well be Mei's new motto.
She gave a shrug alongside a snicker, looking down on his emo-covered form and crossing her arms. "Aww, why not? Just tryin' to have some fun around here, y'know?"
She leaned in a little closer, her tone darkening. "So what if I am? Having a few enemies never hurt, neither does being crazy..." The chilling confidence she said that with was almost enough to negate the absurdity of her saying that neither of those things had any negative impact.
She stood back up and gave a small laugh, returning Idris's ice-cold stare with one of her own, except Mei's was paired with a grin. "C'mon man, cheer up! All that edginess is gonna make you look like you went through a blender, y'know. Bet that won't help ya in the games, that's for damn sure!"
And with that, she waved a snarky goodbye before heading back to her cab, passing through almost every single other district's along the way.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mar raised an eyebrow at the odd attempt to actually play along with the weirdo's games, almost smiling at the failed attempt to catch a piece with her mouth. He instead sighed and grabbed his barely filled plate and went to sit back down, shrugging at the weirded expression Minya gave. He could honestly care less at this point and didn't exactly want to, honestly.
...But then the girl came back. Plate empty, and she seemed to be chewing the last bit of what she had left. Her jaunt was so carefree and nonchalant, like nothing had ever happened, it was almost infuriating. Mar was about to continue to ignore her until it seemed like she suddenly changed her mind and went to grab some of the food on their table. Not only was she a child in a teenager's body, but a petty thief too...
Ah, and of course she would start chucking their own cheese at Minya once again, point-blank this time.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Liela buried her head further into her knees this time, too exhausted from her outburst to do anything. She almost wanted to sob again, for different reasons this time, but her tears had been used up. She felt so bitter now, her sadness and grief washing away and leaving behind the sediments of anger and resentment. She just wanted to scream and yell, no matter how tired her small body was, no matter how much her voice was worn out, but she knew she couldn't.
Especially not at the guy trying his best to comfort her. He wouldn't have deserved her anger, she may have been a brat but she at least did things with reason.
"...that's good."
Yeah, I guess.
Her nails began to dig into the sides of her legs, the area she had been clutching ever since she wrapped herself up. She had to beg herself not to cry anymore, even if she physically couldn't.
The feeling would still be there, and it was a horrible one. "What's her deal, anyways..." She muttered.
Posted: Fri, 01/12/2023 22:33 (11 Months ago)
"Aww, why not? Just tryin' to have some fun around here, y'know?"
"...fun? In a time like this?" He rolled his eyes. "Y'know what, I'm not gonna stop you. You can go and....have fun. Sure. 'Specially before we're carted off to certain death."
So what if I am? Having a few enemies never hurt, neither does being crazy..."
Idris shrugged. "Well I don't want to die first in the games, okay?"
"C'mon man, cheer up! All that edginess is gonna make you look like you went through a blender, y'know. Bet that won't help ya in the games, that's for damn sure!"
He rolled his eyes, grinning a little. "Shut up."
Round 2.
Minya leaped up and down, catching cheese cubes in her tiny mouth, eyes sparkling as she caught each one.
She grinned, mouth full of cheese cubes.
"...mgfhn.."
"....nine....out of.....eleven....." She choked out. "....world record....right?....mghnm..." She said to uhhhh daischinjefdusib
"What's her deal, anyways..."
He shrugged. "Prolly gone loopy. Out of shock, maybe. I've seen it a few times at the Reapings..." Raiyhan muttered. "You sure you're okay?"
"You can like...carry on crying....if you want..." He whispered, looking embarrassed. "If it makes you feel any better. I dunno, I- I'm not the best at like...this sorta thing. Emotions and such."
"I- I should stop talking."
Posted: Sun, 03/12/2023 05:52 (11 Months ago)
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Mei would remember that.
Anyways, back to cheese basketball, featuring Minya. Sure, she was slightly amused at Minya's attempt to play along, but at the same time she was disappointed at the lack of a negative reaction.
Oh well, this would just have to do. Good enough, right? Still... Funny, I guess. After all the cheese was gone, she just continued to lean against the bar and pluck some of the food into her own mouth.
"....nine....out of.....eleven....."
"....world record....right?....mghnm..."
Mei let out a small laugh at that, then gave a muffled response of her own, too impatient to fully chew her food. "Mmm, 9/11... Reminds me of that one tragedy, y'know?"
Sure Mei, make a 9/11 joke, that'll go well.
She looked over at the guy Minya had directed her words too, giving him an observing glare before cocking her head to the side. "So, what's with this guy, huh? Thinks he's soooo cool by playin the quiet kid or somethin?"
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"....nine....out of.....eleven....."
"....world record....right?....mghnm..."
Mar rolled his eyes and sighed upon seeing that honestly impressive feat go down, but had a small smile tugging at his lips while doing so. Reminded him of his siblings, always goofing off whenever they could and trying to impress him while they were at it. The thought almost saddened him, remembering his family at a time like this, but he quickly brushed it away before it completely changed his mood.
"So, what's with this guy, huh? Thinks he's soooo cool by playin the quiet kid or somethin?"
And that was the straw that broke the camel's back. God she was already insufferable. His near-smile quickly turned into a very pissed off expression as he slowly got up, approaching Mei and Minya. "The hell is wrong with you is my question..." He snarled, staring her down.
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"Prolly gone loopy. Out of shock, maybe. I've seen it a few times at the Reapings..."
Liela went silent for a moment before she sighed. "No... I doubt it..." She simply said, leaving it at that. There was no way that attitude was from snapping, right? Even if it was, she was probably just a toned down lunatic before all this, right?
"You sure you're okay?"
No, I'm not, how can I be? I just-
"Yeah, I'm... Fine."
"Thanks for asking, I guess..." She turned her head away and whispered that last part, as if she was slightly ashamed.
"You can like...carry on crying....if you want..."
She closed her eyes and exhaled, turning her head back to face Raiyhan but her eyes were still pinned on the ground beneath. "There's no point in doing that, honestly..." Her voice was quiet, but the sound she made afterwards almost sounded like a groan.
"If it makes you feel any better. I dunno, I- I'm not the best at like...this sorta thing. Emotions and such."
Yeah, I could tell.
Well she couldn't say that now could she? She instead stayed silent, letting her mind wander a little. Well, it was more like "spacing out", but whatever.
"I- I should stop talking."
"Not like you did anything wrong..." Liela mumbled.
Posted: Sun, 03/12/2023 10:16 (11 Months ago)
She swallowed the last of her cheese cubes.
"So, what's with this guy, huh? Thinks he's soooo cool by playin the quiet kid or somethin?"
"He's probably tired of all your bullcrap, honestly." Minya spat. The change in atmosphere was sudden and unnerving.
"The hell is wrong with you is my question..."
Minya nodded. "My question exactly. Is there a point to this whole....act you've got going on?" She smiled sweetly.
"I swear to God, no matter how delicious they are, if you throw me one more goddamn cheese cube, I will find you, in the Games, and I will kill you."
Minya grinned. "And my buddy, Dai- Di- Daiscjolmkndfk will help me!"
"Right?"
"No... I doubt it..."
He shrugged.
"Yeah, I'm... Fine."
"Thanks for asking, I guess..."
He gave a half-smile. "No problemo."
raiyhan who the hell says no problemo what are you on (author's note)
"Not like you did anything wrong..."
"...thanks....I guess..."
He paused for a moment.
"....so um....I didn't like, catch....your name?"
Posted: Sun, 03/12/2023 17:45 (11 Months ago)
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Mei stuck her finger out at Daichön and gave him a little push, leaning forward to return the hostile glare.
"He's probably tired of all your bullcrap, honestly."
"Aww, so soon? I've hardly even done anything and you're already sick and tired of me?" Mei pouted, still glaring at the man looming over her as she crossed her arms.
Upon being asked the age old question, Mei simply shrugged and smiled, reaching her hand back to grab some more fruit as she stuffed it in her mouth. "I dunno, why not, right? We're aaaalllll gonna miraculously perish at each other's hands soon anyways, so what's the harm in having a little fun?"
She somehow said all that clearly, even with her face stuffed. Don't ask me how.
"I swear to God, no matter how delicious they are, if you throw me one more goddamn cheese cube, I will find you, in the Games, and I will kill you."
"And my buddy, Dai- Di- Daiscjolmkndfk will help me!"
"Right?"
Completely out of the blue, a seemingly hearty laugh was let out before she plucked a strawberry off a platter and leaned forward closer to Minya, placing it onto her lips as she grinned. "Don't threaten me with a good time, alright sweet cheeks?"
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Mar didn't even bother with listening to this girl's bullcrap, it was all just useless blabbering anyways. He simply narrowed his eyes and scoffed at any comment she tried to make.
"I swear to God, no matter how delicious they are, if you throw me one more goddamn cheese cube, I will find you, in the Games, and I will kill you."
"And my buddy, Dai- Di- Daiscjolmkndfk will help me!"
"Right?"
He simply gave a defeated sigh and shrugged, not even bothering to save himself from whatever he was getting into. "Uh huh... Sure, I guess."
"But if it's really that difficult to say my name, just call me Mar..." He muttered under his breath.
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"...My name?"
Oh right. She'd been too busy crying like a baby to do any proper interaction. She wiped off the last of her tears and readjusted herself to be more upright, lightly clearing her throat as well. "Oh, right... Liela Dae-"
Daelbrook.
That name was like a ragged blade running along her tongue, it no longer held the pride and comfort it once did. It hurt to think about, hurt even more knowing she was the onl survivor in her family line. She would be the one to carry it, maintain its weight and honor, and maintain what her sister had built up.
But all that was going to waste on a sheep being hauled off to the slaughter. Even if she won, would that even be enough to make her proud?
"...Daelbrook. Liela Daelbrook. And... you?"