Chapter 1: Prologue One
Notes:
Welcome everyone, to my first Hunger Games fic!
This fic was originally started to celebrate the announcement of Sunrise on the Reaping. Time passed, and I finished reading the book, but I am still as hyped for this as I was when I wrote the first sentence of this story.
Before we begin, I would like to extend my gratitude to a few people.
First, To Suzzane Collins, for creating the world of the Hunger Games.
Secondly, to livinginadream0 for giving me advice and proofreading some of my scenes. Thank you so much!
Lastly, to you for deciding to read my work. I put literal hours into writing this and I am so glad that you've decided to read it.
With that, I am proud to present, Mystical and Murderous: The 80th Hunger Games!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
- Augustus Everfeld, Gamemaker -
Augustus Everfeld stood outside the president's door, waiting to be called in to enter. He was shifting nervously, and he wasn't sure what this meeting would bring him.
The door opened and an Avox motioned to Augustus to enter. The Gamemaker took a breath and walked towards the open door.
The room inside was grand. The walls were white marble and the couches were red. President Whitebrook was sitting behind his desk, his hands clasped together as he watched Agustus enter the room.
"Augustus," he said. "Welcome. Please, have a seat." Whitebrook motioned to the red and gold chair in front of his desk. Augustus did as he was told. The president leaned back in his chair and looked at the painting behind his desk.
"I'm thinking of changing out this painting," he said, admiring the artwork. "What do you think?"
Augustus was confused. Was this really why he had been called into the President's office?
"I think it looks nice," Augustus finally said.
"So do I," the President agreed. "But it brings up too many memories of the past. I'm thinking of swapping it for a self-portrait, or maybe a painting of the skyline, but I'm not quite sure yet."
Augustus nodded. Whitebrook looked back at the Gamemaker. "You're awfully quiet today. What's the matter?"
"Nothing!" Augustus said quickly. "I'm just…" The president tipped his head, interested in what he was about to say. Augustus cleared his throat. "With all due respect, President Whitebrook, I don't think the real reason you called me here was to discuss paintings. Is there another reason?"
Whitebrook laughed, which left Augustus feeling nervous.
"I like you." The President said once his laughter had ceased. "Not afraid to say what's on your mind."
"Thank you, sir."
Whitebrook stood and walked towards the large window and looked out. "As you know, President Snow has recently passed on."
"I'm aware." Augustus nodded, unsure where the President was going with this. "It was a shame. He had been President for nearly 70 years."
"Yes, quite a shame," Whitebrook murmured, walking along the window. "But with his passing, I believe that it is time for someone new to take control of things, like me." He turned from the window, and his eyes bored into Augustus'. "And you."
"M-me?" Augustus sputtered. "Why me?"
The President walked back to his desk. "I believe that you have great ideas and that you will do whatever you can to get them to happen. In a way, you are quite like myself. That is why I am offering you the position of Head Gamemaker."
Augustus was astonished to be given this position, but there was a nagging question in the back of his mind. "What about Seneca Crane?"
Whitebrook laughed sharply. "Like I said, it is time to switch things up. He has already been notified. Like I said, with the President passing, it was time for fresh eyes to make the Hunger Games greater than they have ever been." Whitebrook sat down behind his desk. "Do you accept my offer?"
Augustus nodded eagerly. "Oh, yes, of course! When do I start?"
Whitebrook smiled. "Right now."
Notes:
First prologue done!
Thank you so much for reading!Until next time,
- Cori
Chapter 2: Prologue Two
Notes:
Time for the second prologue! There will be one more after this one, and then we can get to the story!
Attention: This chapter contains mild spoilers for Sunrise on the Reaping. It is also not completely canon compliant because I wrote this before the book was released.
Enjoy the chapter!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
- Haymitch Abernathy, District Twelve -
Haymitch had everything taken from him. His mother, his brother, his girlfriend…
Everything.
He came back from the games, expecting to bring his loved ones to his new home in Victors Village, but when he saw the flames, he couldn't take it anymore.
He was fine, well not that fine, with the deaths in the Arena, but that was only so he could come home. Now that all he cared for was dead, he wished he had met his fate in the capitol.
He turned to alcohol to solve his problems. Drink away the pain, he would say to anyone who would listen. Haymitch barely left his home, only to stock up on more liquor, or when he was forced to go mentor the Tributes for the next game.
Each year, he was forced to watch District Twelve fail to survive longer than the Bloodbath, reliving the memories of his own games, and the pain of losing everything.
Every bit of pain equaled another glass of cheap liquor.
Then everything changed the year of the 64th games.
He had gotten back from the bar after drinking away the pain of losing yet another pair of Tributes, and was ready to pass out on the couch. It was around three in the morning when there was a knock on his door. Haymitch slid off the couch and shuffled over to the door to see who it was.
However, when he opened the door, all he saw was a small bassinet with a note inside.
Haymitch, this is Aubrey. She is our daughter. Take care of her, as I won't be able to. You can give her a better life than I'd ever be able to.
~ T
Haymitch read the note over again, making sure he wasn't hallucinating it.
He had a daughter? How was that possible? He didn't remember meeting anyone in the past year, but then, he didn't remember a lot of things.
The baby, Aubrey, was crying now, and he pulled her bassinet into the house, shushing her.
"Quiet, quiet girl." He whispered. Aubrey kept crying though. He decided to take her out of the baby carrier and began to rock her back and forth in his arms. Luckily it worked, because the crying was giving him a headache.
Eventually, Aubrey fell asleep, but Haymitch stayed awake, staring into the distance wondering what the future was going to bring him next.
Notes:
Thanks for reading! I'd love to know what you think of the story so far!
Until next time,
- Cori
Chapter 3: Prologue Three
Notes:
The final prologue before we get into the story.
Enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
- Katniss Everdeen, District Twelve -
Katniss survived the Arena, a feat only two from District Twelve had done.
She barely did though; as she had to fight a dazed and tracker-jacker stung Glimmer, which ultimately killed the Career. She was nearly poisoned by Foxface and was almost impaled by Marvel's spear. Luckily she got out of the way at the last moment, but it hit Rue in the chest since she had been following her for hours, and Katniss hadn't figured out how to shake her without hurting the little girl.
Eventually, it was only Clove and Katniss left.
They fought for the longest time before Clove ultimately slipped on the edge of the Cornucopia and fell to the mutts below.
In the final interview after the games, Katniss saw what had happened to the rest of the Tributes. Foxface was killed by poison berries, and Tresh was killed by Clove, just after he had killed Cato.
And then there was the Capitol's favorite highlight. When Katniss dropped the Tracker Jacker nest straight onto Peeta and Glimmer.
She had heard the buzzing when she had woken up that morning, and remembering that she still had a knife in her bag, she thought it would be a good way to take out a couple of Tributes. It didn't totally kill them though, as half of the pests went after the two Tributes that hadn't ran.
Once Katniss defeated Glimmer, as she had grabbed the bow from the District One Tribute, and shot her, Katniss tried hard to get Peeta away from the Mutts.
She tried so hard, but he insisted she leave without him. Reluctantly she left; Katniss heard his cannon a few minutes later. She was lucky that the Tracker Jackers didn't sting her while she was cutting the branch, because she wouldn't have made it far from the tree.
Katniss tried so hard to get the memory out of her mind, but ever since that day, she was forced to relive it in her nightmares, and in her now recurring trips to the Capitol to mentor the next batch of Tributes from Twelve.
The only thing good about being a victor was when Katniss came back from mentoring, she connected more with her mentor, and his daughter, Aubrey. The two of them became like sisters, always hanging around each other, and Aubrey dreaded the time when Katniss had to go and begin mentoring Tributes with Haymitch.
It was the morning before the reaping for the 76th games, Aubrey's first year for a chance of being reaped, when she went over to Katniss' house.
When Katniss opened the door, Aubrey immediately threw herself into her arms.
"I'm scared," she had murmured. Katniss released the hug and knelt in front of her.
She brushed Aubrey's hair out of her eyes. "Hey," she whispered. "It's going to be okay. Your name's only in there once."
"But," Aubrey sniffled, "Prim's was only in there once too."
Katniss closed her eyes for a long time. "I know…but, even if your name does get picked, I'll be your mentor, so I'll help you win."
"Really?"
Katniss nodded. "Really." She took Aubrey's hand, and led her out of the house, towards the town square, and to what Katniss hoped wouldn't be a repeat of her own Reaping.
Notes:
Thank you so much for reading!
Up next, the 80th Games finally begin...Until next time,
- Cori
Chapter 4: Chapter One
Chapter Text
- Aubrey Abernathy, District Twelve -
The morning of the reaping was cloudy and rainy; almost as if the sky was mourning the deaths of the children that were yet to come.
Aubrey Abernathy zipped up the back of her reaping dress and turned to admire herself in the mirror. She was skinny, but not as skinny as some of the other girls in the District, considering she had grown up with a little more than the rest of Twelve. But like all the other young girls in the district, her name still went into the bowl each year, even though her father had won.
No, not won. Survived.
That's what her dad always said. And Aubrey believed it. Every victor she had seen had the effects of the games behind their eyes. That dark and haunted look.
Even her father had that look.
Aubrey smoothed out her pale green dress and fixed the bow on the side. She pulled her long dirty blonde hair back into a Dutch braid, and a few strands fell out, creating curtains around her face.
She heard the clinking of glass downstairs and she knew that her father was awake. Aubrey opened the door and walked into the hallway, and to the railing, looking out over it, down into the room below.
Haymitch was sitting at the table, a glass in his hand and a half-empty bottle of some cheap alcohol on the table. He was leaned back in his chair, his feet propped up, his head tipped back. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, and there were stains along the collar and sleeves.
Aubrey walked down the stairs, but if Haymitch heard her, he didn't say. She headed into the kitchen and tried to find herself a decent breakfast. Finding nothing but empty booze bottles and a loaf of moldy bread, she decided that she could last the morning without food.
She went back out to the living room and saw that Haymitch was no longer there.
"Dad?" Aubrey called. A muffled groan was the only answer that she got. "I'm going to Katniss'!"
No response, but then again, when did he ever talk to her?
Aubrey pulled open the door and looked out at the empty, almost haunting, victors houses that lined the chipped and crooked cobblestone road. She crossed the road and walked up the cleaner-than-her-own-house's front steps to Katniss' front door.
She knocked, and when she heard a 'come in' from somewhere inside, she pushed open the door and took a step inside.
"Katniss?" She called.
"Over here!" Aubrey looked into the living room and saw Katniss in her reaping dress, the same one that she wore the year before, a pale blue one. Her hair was tied back in her signature braid, and there was a grim smile on her face.
Katniss walked over to Aubrey and pulled her into a tight hug. "Are you ready?" She asked, rubbing Aubrey's back.
Aubrey nodded into Katniss' shoulder. The victor released the hug, and looked the younger girl up and down. "So pretty," she murmurs, pain flashing behind her eyes. Aubrey looked down at her dress and quietly gasped when she remembered where she had gotten it from.
It was originally Katniss' sister's, but since she passed away from the deadly sickness that claimed many District Twelve lives the year prior, it was given to her. Katniss had said that she didn't want to see it get dusty in a box like her mother had originally intended to keep it, but instead, she wanted to see it worn by someone she really cared for, that someone being Aubrey.
Aubrey put her hand in Katniss'. She didn't say anything, but that simple gesture gave Katniss some life, and she straightened her back and smiled brightly.
"Let's see if your father is ready yet."
"He's not," Aubrey followed Katniss to the door. "He just poured himself another glass." Katniss sighed loudly as she pulled open the door. "Not again…"
The two of them crossed the courtyard back to the Abernathy house.
"Haymitch!" Katniss yelled as she opened the door.
"What?" He called, from somewhere in the house.
"You have to get ready! The reaping is starting soon!"
Haymitch walked into the foyer wearing a wrinkled button-up shirt, his glass in his hand.
"Nope. Not today." Katniss said, reaching for the cup. "You don't want to fall off the stage again, do you?"
Haymitch watched her walk away with the cup, but once she was out of sight, he pulled a flask from his pocket and took a swig from it. Aubrey rolled her eyes. "C'mon, dad."
"What?" He asked, a smile playing on the corner of his lips, though Aubrey didn't find it that amusing.
Katniss walked back into the room and grabbed the flask from her former mentor. "I'll take that too." Haymitch sputtered behind her.
"You can have it back later," Katniss said, stuffing it into her dress pocket and leading the way out the door. "And before we come back, we'll need to get you guys some more food. You're out."
The walk to the town square was as pleasant as a day like that could have been. There was a somber feeling in the air, as the rows of children walked towards the giant screens displaying highlights from previous games, and the Capitol escort on the stage.
The escort for District Twelve was no longer Effie Trinket. After her success in the 74th games, she was moved up to District Seven, to call their children's names for the reaping. She had done good too. The 76th games and the 79th games both produced victors from District Seven.
Aubrey rubbed her finger where the Peacekeepers had checked her identity against the hem of her dress to wipe away the blood. While she made her way to the sixteen-year-olds section, she watched the giant screens around the square which were showing everyone walking into the area through the many cameras stationed around the square.
The escort finally walked towards the microphone, wearing the usual nauseating Capitol glam, complete with an enormous green and glittered bow along her collarbone.
They went through the usual pre-reaping speech and video before the escort turned back to the crowd.
"Ladies first!" She said, cheerily. Aubrey rolled her eyes. She looked over at Katniss, standing on the stage beside Haymitch, who was swaying slightly.
The escort plucked a paper from the bowl and went back to the microphone, unfolding the paper as she went.
"Aubrey Abernathy!"
Aubrey's heart fell out of her chest. Her? How? She looked back at Katniss and saw that she had pulled out Haymitch's flask and was taking a big swig. Haymitch was staring straight ahead at the escort, shocked.
Shakily, Aubrey stepped forward and started to make her way towards the stage, desperately hoping that someone would volunteer and take her place, like Katniss had done for Prim years ago.
Yet no one spoke. No one shouted her name, or, 'I volunteer!'.
Nothing.
Aubrey stood on the stage, her arms dangling at her sides, her gaze flying all over the crowd. What now? She was asking herself. How do I make it back home?
"Abernathy," mused the escort. "Is Haymitch your father?" Aubrey nodded numbly, and her mind tuned out the escort's next words; something about having relatives in games always making things exciting.
The escort reached into the boy's bowl and pulled out a paper. Out of the corner of her eye, Aubrey saw Katniss stiffen as the name was called. They boy walked towards the stage, and when he stepped up the last stairs, the escort practically grabbed him and pulled him next to her, and reached to Aubrey to do the same.
"Your Tributes for the 80th annual Hunger Games! Aubrey Abernathy, and Steel Mellark!"
Notes:
Duh, duh, duhhhhhh! Plot twist!
Hope you all enjoyed! I'd love to know what you think of this first chapter!
Until next time,
- Cori
Chapter Text
- Aubrey Abernathy, District Twelve -
Aubrey was taken off the stage and led into the rooms inside the building. She looked around wildly to see where Katniss was, but she had disappeared. Aubrey hoped she was going to the main door of the building to see her in the short minutes they were allowed to visit Tributes.
Aubrey only had to wait in the room for a few minutes before Haymitch came into the room. He pulled her into a hug, and Aubrey, not used to hugging him, was unsure how to react.
When Haymitch released her, he held her shoulders and looked her in the eye. "I promise I will do everything I can to get you home."
Aubrey nodded, but she wasn't totally convinced, after all, Katniss was District Twelve's only other victor.
Something was stirring in Aubrey, and she felt a bit of anger towards her father all of a sudden. He had never really shown much love to her before, but now that she was reaped, it seemed like he was trying to make up for that in the three minutes he had right now.
"Why?" She asked. Haymitch looked at her puzzled. "Why do you care so much about me now? Why didn't you care to even talk to me before?"
Haymitch looked at the ground. "I guess, I was just…too caught up in my own head. Pain, memories. I always knew that you would be there so that when I was ready to talk to you, you would be able to listen. But…now that there's a chance you might be gone, I want you to know that I do care for you, even if I never made much of an effort. I just don't want to lose you. And if-" He cleared his throat. "When you make it back, I will try a hundred times more to make it up to you."
Audrey stood in silence, processing Haymitch's monologue. A part of her didn't want to forgive him for ignoring her all of her life, but there was another part of her that wanted to listen and hug him and say that she was grateful for his change of heart.
The door to the room opened and a Peacekeeper entered and grabbed Haymitch's shoulder. "Time's up."
Haymitch looked pleadingly at Audrey. "I'll talk to you on the train," she mumbled, looking away. When the door closed, Aubrey looked back, tears filling her eyes.
The hour went by slowly. After Haymitch, no one came to visit Aubrey. She spent the time waiting to go onto the train pacing around the room, looking at the old paintings on the wall, and trying to keep the nagging voice out of her head that kept saying Haymitch was only apologizing because he knew she wouldn't make it, and he didn't want a guilty conscience once she was gone.
"That's not true," she whispered to herself as she paced back and forth. "He doesn't think that."
She didn't have to keep thinking about that horrible thought though, because at last, it was time to head to the train. A Peacekeeper came into the room and looked at her, the same one that had taken Haymitch out, nearly Fifty minutes before. "Let's go." Aubrey followed without objection.
Outside, the wind had started to pick up, blowing dust around, and some of it ended up in her eyes, making her tear up even more. She met up with Steel and her escort, whose name she learned was Emyrson, and they got into a car to make their way to the train station.
Once there, they piled out, and Aubrey saw Katniss and Haymitch standing in front of the train. Katniss looked distraught, while Haymitch had his flask once more, and was drinking from it, but stopped when he saw the Tributes.
"Let's go," he said. Katniss nodded and stepped into the train, followed by Steel and the glitzy Capitolite. When Aubrey reached the door, she turned to her father. "I know you will try to better, but I won't be able to forget about all you've done up until now."
Haymitch nodded. "I understand."
Aubrey walked into the train. The car she had entered was the dining car, and the table was full of food, drinks, and glass decorations. There were some plush chairs, covered in a bright pink fabric, and there was a wooden coffee table with a bowl of caramel-looking candies.
The escort looked around. "Well. This is where you will be staying for the next day or so until you get to the Capitol. The sleeping car is that way," she pointed to the end of the car, "for when you need to rest." Then she toddled over to the table and poured herself some peach-coloured alcohol. Steel stood rigidly, while Katniss and Haymitch sat down on the chairs. Aubrey sat down across from Haymitch, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
"Are you going to sit?" Katniss asked, looking at Steel.
"No." Katniss bit her lip and looked around the car quickly before asking again. "Are you sure? These chairs are-"
"I said no." Steel glared at her. The car was deadly silent. "I'm going to go lie down." He left the car leaving, everyone in a strange sort of quiet.
"Well someone should teach him how to speak politely because clearly, he hasn't learned…" Emyrson muttered from the table.
Aubrey stayed in the train car for a while more, while Haymitch and the escort disappeared. Katniss stayed in the car, and eventually, Steel came back, but he didn't sit near Katniss.
"...and now it's time to take a look at this year's Tributes!" The announcer on the television was saying, in a ridiculously high voice. "Let's start with District One!" The screen switched to a shot of the Reaping stage in the first District. The boy was tall and had pitch-black hair, while the girl had extremely long blonde hair that reached her waist, even when it was tied back. Both looked quite strong, but Aubrey didn't expect much else from the career districts.
District Two's Tributes were similar in build, with the boy Gunner, having pale blonde hair, and the girl Lenna, being slightly shorter with striking blue eyes. Lenna was glaring at the camera, but Gunner didn't seem to mind the attention he was getting and was happily waving and blowing kisses to the crowd.
The Tributes from District Three were skinny, the girl more than the boy. She had her hair cropped short, and she wore fingerless gloves. The boy, Mac, had wire glasses and he looked quite nervous.
The last pair of Career Tributes were strong-looking, like the first two Districts. The girl was cracking her knuckles while the boy was standing still, his eyes flicking back and forth, almost nervously.
Brighton Wares and Kady Beline were the Tributes from District Five. Brighton was the oldest non-Career Tribute so far at the age of eighteen, and Kady was sixteen, the same age as Mac from District Three. Both looked nervous, Brighton more than Kady.
Districts Six and Seven had two Fifteen-year-old Tributes each, although Locklan from Seven looked like he was Seventeen.
In District Eight, the female Tribute, Mariette was only thirteen. The male Tribute was extremely tall, and he had dark brown hair and dark eyes. Both looked nervous, and Aubrey couldn't blame them.
District Nine's Tributes were Wyatt and Rey Sharkett, twins. How unfortunate, Aubrey thought. She saw Katniss' eyes sadden at the mention of their relation.
The Tributes from Ten were average for them. The girl, even though she was older, was on the verge of tears, while the boy, was clenching his fists and gritting his teeth.
District Eleven's Tributes were similar to Ten's. The boy was younger, but instead of being fifteen, like Spencer from the previous distinct, Citrus West was only thirteen. The girl, Blossom, was eighteen, and she was shaking like a leaf.
Then it was time for the recap of District Twelve. "And here's what's interesting," the announcer was saying, "both Tributes this year, have some relation to Tributes from years before."
"Aubrey Abernathy!" The escort on the screen said.
"Yes you heard that right," the announcer said as on-screen Aubrey walked up the steps in front of the Justice Building. "Aubrey Abernathy is related to one of the two victors from District Twelve! Haymitch Abernathy!" The camera shot switched over to the boy's bowl, where the escort was drawing Steel's name.
"And that is Steel Mellark! The younger brother to Peeta Mellark from the 74th games! Now, what was it that happened to Peeta again?" The camera returned to the announcers, where a second Capitolite had joined the first.
"Well, he was stung by Tracker Jackers." The new announcer said, "and Victor Everdeen came to help, but he insisted that she leave him. He cared so much for her that he let her go to protect her from Cato."
The first announcer nodded. "I believe we still have that encounter on file," he looked off-camera for confirmation. "Yes, yes we do. Let's take a look."
The screen switched to a shot of Katniss climbing down from the tree, and Peeta, stumbling around, deeply affected by the Tracker Jacker venom. Katniss tried to coax him up, but her pushed her away; Aubrey could see him mouthing 'no' and 'run'. Katniss eventually did, and mere moments after she left Peeta, Cato came through the trees to see Glimmer's body, and Peeta's weak frame.
Peeta was dead in an instant.
"What an exciting moment!" The second announcer said, looking at the first.
"Indeed it was! It was quite the defining moment. If it weren't for Peeta's selflessness, Katniss wouldn't be the wonderful victor we have today."
Steel stood quickly and left the room. Aubrey jumped. She had forgotten he was there. She looked over at Katniss.
"I'll go talk to him," her mentor said, standing up.
Aubrey turned off the screen. She wasn't in the mood to watch any more highlights and death reels. Instead, she went over to the window and watched the scenery fly by on her way to the Capitol, and her most certain death.
Notes:
Thanks for reading!
Until next time,- Cori
Chapter 6: Chapter Three
Notes:
Aubrey arrives in the Capitol and gets a look up close at her opponents. I'm so excited for these next few chapters, since we've arrived at the Capitol. There's quite of bit of exposition and some dialogue heavy parts, but it's all for when the Games finally start. With that being said, enjoy the chapter!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
- Aubrey Abernathy, District Twelve -
The train pulled into the Capitol around noon. The crowds outside were already screaming and shouting as the train came to a stop. Aubrey stayed away from the window; the colors were too bright for her to look at for too long.
Eventually, Steel and Katniss came back into the train car, Steel looking slightly better than when he had run out abruptly, and Katniss looking a little uncomfortable. Aubrey walked over to her.
"Everything okay?"
Katniss nodded, but her gaze drifted over to Steel. "Yeah, we just had to talk about…" She swallowed and closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were tearing up a little. "Never mind. Let's just leave it in the past." Katniss snuck a quick glance at Steel, but he wasn't looking at her.
Aubrey nodded understandingly. She had noticed since they had first boarded the train that there was some tension between Steel and her mentor.
Haymitch entered the car and walked over to the door where the escort was already waiting.
"Are we all ready?" The escort asked chipperly. Everyone nodded, though they didn't feel as enthusiastic as Emyrson was. "Then welcome to the Capitol!"
One the train had come to a stop, Steel and Aubrey were ushered off of the train and into the rooms where their clothes were pulled off, their skin was rubbed raw, and there was not a single hair anywhere but their head.
Eventually the prep team left the room, and were soon replaced by a stylist with long yellow hair, golden nails, and a glammed up face with sparkly eyeshadow and lipstick.
"Darling." She said, rolling the 'r'. "I'm going to make you beautiful."
And by beautiful, she meant that Aubrey would be forced into a tight black body suit with a long black and golden cape. It was paired with tall golden boots and Aubrey's face was covered in gold and black makeup. It was actually looking kind of nice, until the stylist pulled out a large and ridiculous ruffled collar, like the one that old writer wore, hundreds of years before the rebellion.
Before she was sent out to the carriages, she met up with Steel, who was wearing an outfit just as ridiculous as hers.
His suit was also skin tight, and his cape was long and flowy. He has significantly less makeup than Aubrey, but there was still a golden sparkle on his face.
He scratched at the ruffled collar around his neck, but stopped when he saw his district partner approach. "What's with these costumes? They're ridiculous."
Aubrey nodded, and shifted her own ruff. "They itch."
"I wish I could take it off."
"Me too."
Their conversation, however short it may have been, was interrupted by their stylists coming over to take them to their carriages.
"You'll have time to talk later." Said Aubrey's stylist. "You need to be at your carriage for the parade!"
"Hurry!" Said Steels stylist, in a ridiculously high voice.
The Tributes from Twelve followed the stylists to their carriage, where they were able to get a good look at the other Tributes up close.
Walking past them were the Tributes from Nine, both in outfits that looked like bushels of wheat. On their heads were crowns made of stalks of wheat, painted silver and yellow. Both Tributes looked nervous.
Across the room of them, the careers were talking, and meeting each other. Aubrey couldn't tell what they were saying, but they looked to be getting along well, and that's what worried her. A strong career pack wasn't a good sign for Outlier districts. They had been the demise of the majority of the previous Tributes from Twelve.
Bailey Jets was the most menacing of the career Tributes, even though her outfit looked like she was being swallowed by a trout.
The costumes that stood out the most to Aubrey were the ones from District Six. How could the not? Both Tributes were in outfits that represented orange medicinal pills, but they really just looked like orange blobs. Aubrey felt a little bad for them.
But she didn't have much time to look at the rest of the costumes, because a booming voice from the loudspeakers were instructing them to get into their carriages.
The Tributes complied, and as they waited to enter the spotlight, Aubrey spoke with Steel. "How are things between you and Katniss?"
"Fine." Steel said stiffly. "She apologized, but I still hold it against her. She didn't have to leave him."
Aubrey looked at him sympathetically. "I know you hate her for what she did, but she had no choice. And don't hate her forever. She's a nice person once you get to know her."
"You only think she's nice because she didn't ruin your life."
She opened her mouth to argue, but at that moment, their carriage lurched forward, cutting off their conversation and sending them out into the adoring cheers of the Capitolites.
Aubrey squinted against the glare of the flashing lights. Once her eyes were focused, she could see herself in the large TV screens around the street. Beside her, Steel was standing stiffly, and not looking out at the crowd. Aubrey waved shyly to the Capitolites, and elbowed Steel in the side. "Smile." She said, "It'll help you get sponsors."
Steel rolled his eyes, but he grinned a little and waved to the crowd. This made the fawning Capitolites scream even louder.
When they made it to the end of the road, President Newt Whitebrook, no longer Snow, as he had died suddenly the year previous, stepped up to the podium to give the usual speech.
"Welcome Tributes." His voice was low and gravelly. "To the 80th Hunger Games!" The noise from the Capitolites doubled at this and only quieted when Whitebrook waved his hands to silence them. "In the words of my predecessor, President Coriolanus Snow, we salute your courage and your sacrifice. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"
Notes:
Thanks for reading!
Until next time,
- Cori