Make the Fireflies Dance

Aspen Fields

[dreamsbornofgrain]

oakleydressel‌:

She smiled brightly, listening to Aspen’s suggestion.  “That sounds like a really good idea,” she told the girl.  All Oakley wanted was to take a day and forget about all of her problems.  There was even a piece of her that wanted to return to District Eight, but she knew better than that.  Not only would it harm her tributes’ chances, but she’d regret giving up time she could have spent with Birch no matter how much it would hurt her heart.

Oakley glanced around and nodded.  “I’m sure my tributes are around here somewhere….at least they’re supposed to be.” Glancing at Aspen, Oakley nodded.  “if the pattern holds, they’ll be inside or at least in a more man-made arena.  Every year since seventy-two it’s alternated,” she told her.  Starting with Nolie’s dinosaurs and ending with you last year, but they could always break the pattern to throw us off.”

Aspen made a face because an inside arena took away some of the advantages her tributes might have. District Nine wasn’t an inside District. Their people often worked out in the fields, even at a young age. They learned how to read weather patterns, care for crops, and take care of themselves that way. “Though I am not really sure how they come up with the arenas. I have no ideas.” She wasn’t a gamemaker, but she felt like she should have had a guess. “They haven’t done anything cold and snowy in a long time.” Not that she could recall anyhow since Enobaria won, when she was younger.

“How do I not be so bad at this Oakley?” Aspen asked softly. She could see the way her tributes looked at her, the same way a lot of people looked at her. Young and inexperienced when it came to being a mentor. “It doesn’t seem fair they’re stuck with only me to help them.”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

wircss‌:

Wiress smiled. “That sounds perfect. Most arenas have sticks, or at least something stick-like.” Aspen’s jungle probably had sticks. She was sure one of the stores in the Mall of America had something stick-like that could be used in a pinch. “My arena had pencils,” she noted.

“You don’t have to teach weapons,” she assured her. “You might pick a few up over the years, but you don’t have to teach anything you’re uncomfortable with. That’s what the trainers are there for.” It was a good thing, too, as otherwise most of the districts outside of One, Two and Four would have even less of a chance at victory. The victors from outlying districts were rarely experts in weaponry, whereas the trainers were, well, trained.

“Survival skills are just as important. Maybe more so, depending on the arena. Exposure can be deadly.”

Aspen thought about it a moment. “Well, pencils would be good splints for fingers.” In order to splint something bigger, like a leg, you would need something considerably bigger. “I hope the tributes get a more natural setting. It wouldn’t be fair to a lot of the tributes to have to be stuck inside for their...” Their last days, but Aspen shook the thought from her head. She didn’t want to think about Harper’s last days. It was painful to think about.

“I would like to learn a few things about weapons one of these days, just in case...” It seemed practical to know for advising future tributes. One year, one of them might have a great interest or desire to learn weapons.

“Do you think most people know how to bandage wounds, or should we teach them that as well?”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

oakleydressel‌:

She nodded.  “That makes sense.  I think you always have a soft spot for the first medium you really used when it comes to art.”  She had picked up painting after her victory.  Before that she hadn’t done more than sketch the occasional dress she would try and make for herself when they had enough money for new fabric.  “I haven’t tried pastels.  Maybe we could try them together?” she suggested.  It could definitely be fun, or at least a good way to spend an afternoon.

But Aspen’s question was a loaded one.  She huffed a sigh and shrugged.  “Honestly, I don’t know.  Nothing much, I guess.”  She thought of Birch, but that wasn’t something she should burden Aspen with.  She was still so young and figuring out life as a victor.  “Things are…the same as usual.”

Aspen nodded because she would like to do that. “Lets save it for a day we both need a break.” Well, a day they needed a bigger break than they did now. Aspen didn’t know how hard it would get, but she figured it would get harder once the tributes were in the arena. Even if it was only half as hard as her own time in the arena.

She gave Oakley a small smile she hoped was reassuring. Normal was better than bad she supposed. “Are your tributes here? Should we try teaching them something?” Teaching them something had to be better than nothing. “Do you think they’ll be in an indoor like setting this year? I am kind of glad I wasn’t in that horrible mall the tributes were in before me. Or that haunted house...”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

wircss‌:

“It’s up to you,” she decided, after quickly running through a few possible combat scenarios in her mind. Wiress had seen enough Games to know that, while the arena changed annually, the fights were often similar at their core. “I don’t know how many of the tributes this year would be able to tell the difference between a fracture and a break without a medical professional there to help them, but we might be able to get away with it anyway.”

She felt like she’d heard somewhere that the Everdeen girls’ mother ran an apothecary in Twelve, but she wasn’t one hundred per cent sure of that.

“Maybe a simple splint that’ll work in most cases,” Aspen mused out loud, because Wiress made a good point. Until she had cracked open a couple books in her spare time (ones she couldn’t afford previously) she hadn’t known the difference herself. “Arm splints aren’t too bad. Should we do it with sticks and stuff they might come across in the arena?”

Aspen thought about all of it a moment. “I mean, what should I be teaching my tributes?” It was certainly something she wanted another opinion on. “I can’t teach them anything about weapons, that’s probably better left to the trainer.”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

linconway‌:

A smirk crossed his lips at her jest, and he shook his head in amusement. “It’s about time I learn something around here anyway. Things don’t always take the first time with me.” Lincoln divulged with a sheepish smile. It seemed no secret that he wasn’t the brightest bulb. “And I don’t think it’s a surprise that I wasn’t the best at surviving skills before going into the Hunger Games.” Most Career tributes before and after him shared the same lack of knowledge. Only a select number of Careers gave them a chance during training.

He listened to Aspen’s words carefully and nodded. “It’s okay to feel like that. We’ve all been there, and I’ve been told the first year can be the hardest. Hell, I barely left the training center during my first year.” He chuckled with a bitter tone. “I guess that part is nice. The press is too occupied by the tributes to worry about us for now.” Yet, it felt wrong to be grateful that forcing these kids to battle to the death kept attention away from him.

“It’s never too late to learn,” Aspen pointed out. Not that Lincoln was going to need to know survival skills, but you never knew what could happen. Disaster bringing storms weren’t unheard of in District Nine and District Four surely had its own dangers. “I won’t even test you, how’s that?” She told him with a laugh.

Aspen looked at him a moment. “Yeah, and does it get easier the second or third year?” It was what she wanted to know. Not that Aspen thought this was easy, but only the Reaping and the parade had happen. She wasn’t sure how to feel about the launch or anything in the arena. When did you talk to sponsors and what did you even say to them? Surely you didn’t flatly ask them for money to spend gifts. “It’s nice to have a minute to breath. I don’t know a single thing about any of the weapons. Hardly any time to learn and it feels wrong directing them always to the trainers. What do you always tell your tributes?”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

thaliaohayon‌:

“I don’t think I would have chosen more school, but to each their own. Besides, you don’t have to choose what you do now. I changed my life’s trajectory in my mid-twenties. And look where I am now. You have plenty of time to decide,” Thalia replied, crossing her leg for the other. She watched a couple of sponsors walk through the door and take a look around the Training Centre, very out of place. 

“Well, whatever you told her, definitely made the two of them stand out. You’ve got a good eye for styling. If you ever want to practice or any tips, my door’s always open.” Thalia was impressed with Aspen, she seemed to care deeply about her tributes. She admired that - it wasn’t just about winning. There were a few Victors like that and she knew that her first thought was always going to be helping them win, but Thalia always tried to help them remember themselves along the way.  

She let Aspen talk, air out her thoughts. She was all by herself, the older Victors from Nine letting her navigate this place on her own. “I don’t think they’ll be overshadowed, especially with you being the most recent Victor and all of your work to help them shine.” Thalia knew that was what some people said, but she wasn’t going to lie to Aspen, it wouldn’t help. “I never know who’s going to win. It’s not something I try to guess. After watching so many Games and analyzing them when I was younger, the only thing to expect is the unexpected.”

Thalia wrapped her arm around the Victor’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze, leaning her head against Aspen’s. “I want to make a difference for them. Show them that they can still be themselves. And help them win. It’s good to hear that, Aspen.”

Aspen nodded. “I’ll keep my options open and if I don’t like it, I’ll try something else.” Although, Aspen wasn’t sure what else she could do that would help her District. Winning the Hunger Games had been a good start. There had been less hungry children because of the gifts from the Capitol, but those were scheduled to end in a few weeks unless District Nine had another Victor. If only.

“I might not mind a tip or two, might come in handy.” She wasn’t sure she wanted to get into styling as a career, but it had been fun. Designing clothing and helping make her tributes stand out had been like bringing a thought, a drawing, to life. It was quite magical.

She gave Thalia a smile. “That’s my hope.” It was all she wanted for her tributes, a fair shake or the fairest one they were going to get. “The are... Quite unexpected.” Aspen agreed softly with a soft forced smile. There had been much in her games that had been unexpected. So much so it made her sigh just thinking about it. To think she had gone nearly an hour without thinking of her deceased friends.

The warmth of Thalia’s guesture however made Aspen smile truly. “It’s a good thing then they have people like us, right?” It was the least they could do to make their tributes lives a little better. “Do you think my stylist will let me pick out my own dress for the interviews?” Aspen wasn’t a tribute anymore, but the press would still want to interview the Victors for their reactions.

[dreamsbornofgrain]

wircss‌:

When Wiress had heard the news that Nine’s older victors wouldn’t be making the trip to the Capitol this year, her heart had gone out to Aspen. She would never have dreamed of leaving Echo alone for her first year. There was so much to learn that could only be taught by a more experienced mentor.

So when she saw the newest victor looking a bit lost, Wiress was walking towards her before she even fully realised what was happening. “Those are both wonderful ideas,” she said, smiling. “We could give the tributes a little demo?” she suggested. “We could pretend I’ve broken my arm or something, and then go over the proper way to treat it in the arena.”

Aspen gave Wiress a soft smile, thankful for the company and the chance to look less loss than she felt. She recalled meeting her fellow Victor on the Victory Tour. District Three had been Demzela’s home. Either way, she was glad for the company and direction.

“I would like that. Splints are probably a good thing to know how to do.” Especially since they had no idea what kind of arena would be awaiting the tributes. If it followed the pattern that seemed to play a role the past few years, it would be an indoor type arena. The island had been horrible, but Aspen was kind of glad she didn’t have to deal with the dolls in that Capitol like mall. “Are we going to do basic breaks or something more complicated like a compound fracture?”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

linconway‌:

Since Aspen Fields emerged from the 78th Hunger Games, Lincoln hadn’t spent too much time around her. Perhaps he simply desired to give her some leeway to heal from the arena. It seemed the cameras and incessant Capitol citizens followed the newest victor moments after their crowning. They became the most prominent individual in Panem overnight, and that could be overwhelming, even for the likes of Lincoln Conway.

So when Aspen spoke to him in the training center, the young man offered a small smile in response. Now would be as good time to welcome her into the fold. The notion of the younger victors sticking together never strayed far from his mind. “Sure, why not. I probably need to brush up on those skills more than the tributes do.” Lincoln responded, raising his hand to scratch the back of his neck. Survival stations were never his strong point.

“How are you holding up? I’ve been pretty glad the paparazzi and their cameras have a hard time in here.” He imagined the training center being a circus otherwise.

Aspen had to chuckle at Lincoln’s admission. “ Well, then you’re talking to the right person. Though my real skills lay with weapons,” she joked lightly. Outside her own training, Aspen hadn’t even touched a weapon outside the throwing knives she had been gifted and hadn’t used. Survival skills were the one advantage most tributes from the outer District had on Careers, mostly because they needed them in their day to day life.

At his next question, Aspen shrugged. “Okay, I guess.” Most days she felt far from okay, but alive and tortured by the memories was better than being dead. “Not really sure most days.” It was the most honest thing she could tell him. “I am glad too. A break is nice. Gives us a couple days break? Till the interviews?”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

oakleydressel‌:

Oakley had never given walking a thought as something that could clear her head so she could sleep.  Usually she painted or sketched if she was having one of those nights, but those nights didn’t help her push thoughts away when she always found herself sketching the person plaguing her thoughts.  It was something she had to find a way to cope with, but she didn’t know how.

She nodded.  “We do help each other out.  This whole thing requires a lot more teamwork than I ever realized before becoming a mentor.”  She felt bad knowing that Aspen didn’t really have someone to turn to but she knew she could help her too. Whatever she needed, she was there.

“Exactly!  Trying new things and stepping our of your comfort zone can be a really fun experience,” she told her.  “I mean, I like watercolors more than pencil but pencil works for me in a pinch, especially if it’s late or i’m sore but still want to do a little art.”

Aspen nodded because she got that. She hadn’t really known what she was in for when she had boarded that train a couple days ago. “That’s the thing no one tells you about.” Sure Aspen had her prep team, escort, and trainer, but that was a little different. She found herself wishing she had someone from home to talk to or even her sister. 

“I like my pencils, probably that’s because all we had.” It was all her parents could afford if she was being honest. Her adopted parents probably could have afforded something a little better, but they had thought art was a waste of time. Art didn’t get you a job in the fields when you finished school. “I have to admit, pastels look fun too. Who would have known there were so many options for what you could do with art.”

“So, what else is new?”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

thaliaohayon‌:

Thalia was grateful at how accommodating and sweet Aspen was. She didn’t particularly feel the want to go to one of the stations unless someone else wanted to. “Why don’t we take a seat at one of the benches and watch the hustle and bustle of the Training Room for a bit? I’m not keen on getting run over by one of the very busy people in here,” she added with a chuckle. 

She was so young. Not that Thalia was particularly old, but it had been so many years ago that she had graduated high school. It felt like a different life. When she had split from her family’s business, it felt like her life started again. Thalia smiled at Aspen, clapping her hands together. “That’s amazing! Anything special planned now that school is done?”

“It’s all a part of this world. My best advice is to seek out the peaceful moments for yourself, it makes the busy ones worth it.” It was the one thing that she had learned working for her father. She had to find time for the moments that she wanted, otherwise her hard work was wasted. Even if it was directly correlated to her work, it was hers. “I have some plans in the works. I think the crowd reaction on Delta’s dress was the push I needed to put together a couple of options. Your tributes looked very beautiful. Did you have anything to do with that style?”

Aspen had to laugh as they took a seat on one of the benches, purposely away from the hustle of the training center so neither of them got trampled by someone in a hurry. “I am thinking more school, crazy as that sounds.” It had never been an option before, but now she had both the time and money to pursue her interests. “Other than that, I don’t know. I feel like I should know what I want to do with myself, but I really don’t...” Aspen admitted with a shrug. A year ago she had believed she wouldn’t have a future to play for. “I think I might try my hand at medicine.”

“I am sure whatever you come up with will be lovely Thalia.” Everything Thalia made was beautiful, so Aspen expected nothing different for her designs for the interviews. “I did have some to do with it, yes.” She admitted with a sheepish grin. “I think the stylist thought I was mad and probably many other things for wanting to inject my own thoughts and opinions into her designs.”

“It’s just...” Aspen chewed her lip a moment. “They’re my tributes, I want the best for them. They think they’re getting overshadowed by the Career Districts and the fact that Primrose Everdeen is Katniss’ sister...” All valid points, Aspen knew that. “I wanted them to have a moment and to have some hope. I know how they feel. I don’t think anyone paid me much mind until I got a nine in training.” A fact that still amazed Aspen. “As for the arena, I don’t know and you know no one will admit it to me now. They all swear they thought I was going to win and while it’s sweet, I know it’s not true.” District Nine hadn’t had a Victor in over fifty years, most people weren’t betting on her to win.

“I just want them to give themselves a chance. What I mean is, I hope you know how important it is what you do for them. A beautiful outfit and some support makes you feel like you can conquer the world.”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

harper-lennox‌:

“Well I’m all camouflaged out for the morning.” She’d spent an hour already listening to the instructor talk about how mud and stillness were her friends. They’d gone over different terrains and had nothing but criticism for her work. She could coat herself in three layers of swamp dirt but it wouldn’t change the fact that she was a compulsive fiddler. 

“How about lunch instead?” She wanted to talk to her mentor about her plan, sit her down somewhere quiet. She wasn’t sure how Aspen would feel about it. 

Aspen nodded. “Alright, lunch sounds good.” She told Harper as she motioned her to follow her. “Did you want to eat in the cafeteria or have them bring us up something to the suite?” Aspen wasn’t sure how Harper felt about being around people to be honest. There had been days when she herself, as a tribute, liked to just watch and others she just wanted five minutes to breathe. Either way, she would leave it up to Harper to decide.

[dreamsbornofgrain]

oakleydressel‌:

Aspen’s concern was sweet.  Oakley was grateful she had a friend like that.  “No nightmares last night….I just had a lot on my mind.”  There was a small part of her that wanted to tell Aspen about it, but the girl was young and had enough of her own problems.  She didn’t need to know about Oakley’s crush too.  Not when Birch’s family was on the line.

“Cambric can do a lot of it,” she agreed, “but I don’t want to leave it all to him.  He doesn’t deserve that.  I usually help with first aid, cooking, and some of the other basic survival skills.”  She could handle sponsors too, but sponsors didn’t like the reminder that the arena caused her permanent disability.  It was too real for them.

“Ooh! I’d love that.  Watercolors are really fun but they are temperamental.  They take a lot of practice, but I’ll help you get the hang of them.”

“That qualifies as one of those nights.” Aspen informed her with a small shrug of her shoulders. She was no stranger to that kind of night. “I like to take a walk when I have those nights. I know probably not the greatest idea back home, but I think around here it’s definitely safer.” There had been something oddly comforting going back to her childhood home even if it brought up old memories. Next to the horror of the Games, it felt almost safe and comforting.

Aspen nodded. “Well, I am sure he appreciates any help you can give him.” She assured Oakley. She certainly wouldn’t mind some help and part of her was hoping Harper would be crowned so she had someone next year, but Aspen tried not to get that far ahead of herself. Hope could be a dangerous thing and she wasn’t sure she could handle the let down. She just hoped it didn’t make her a horrible person for thinking such things.

“I would like to try them! Not sure I’ll ever like anything more than my pencils, but I am willing to try.” It was fun to try new things and she was supposed to be cultivating her talents, at least the Capitol thought so.

[dreamsbornofgrain]

thaliaohayon‌:

Thalia still enjoyed walking around the Training Centre. She wasn’t like most stylists in that sense. Despite not wanting to relive her childhood, she still was rather surprised that she could be here and tell her 10 year old self that this place was how she imagined it when her father made her watch all of those Games. 

She had made her way to the entrance of the Centre when she noticed a young woman standing just in front of her. Realizing it was Aspen, Thalia stopped beside her and gave her a warm smile. 

“I can come if you want, but I don’t know how helpful I’ll be at any of those stations. I can’t really paint and I only know very, very basic first aid. But, I wouldn’t mind spending time with you Aspen.” She tucked her notebook under her arm and slid her pen over her ear. “How have you been? Enjoying Victor life?”

“Hi Thalia!” Aspen said happily as she turned to find the District Four stylist beside her. “I can take a break. I don’t see my tributes here yet anyhow.” She was sure they were on their way or would be once the rest of the District Nine team was done prepping them for the day. Aspen had needed a little extra push to dive into training too last year. She was hoping it would be reassuring that they could figure this out together.

She nodded. “I’ve been busy, but well. I finished school a couple weeks ago.” There had been a lot of work to do and things to get sorted, especially since she had options for her future her classmates didn’t have. Aspen didn’t have to take a job in the fields. “I’m getting a little more used to it to be honest. I am not sure I’ll ever get used to people watching everything I do. That’s a bit weird.” Whenever her team taught her something new to do with her hair, makeup, or gave her new clothes her classmates always tried to imitate it to the best of their ability.

“How about you? Got big plans for the interviews coming up?”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

oakleydressel‌:

Oakley’s morning had been….fine, she supposed.  There was something about the day that she just wasn’t ready to face, but there was nothing she could do about that.  She had to get down to the training center and try to do something to help her tributes.  Unfortunately, it seemed so impossible.

Everly was at her side when Aspen spoke.  “I just didn’t sleep well,” she told her.  “But I’d love some company.  I hate training.  I’m not exactly the most useful mentor for all this stuff.”

“Oh, did you have bad dreams or just one of those nights?” Aspen asked gently hoping she wasn’t overstepping by asking. If she had learned anything in her time in the Capitol, it was that there were topics and questions you asked and some you didn’t. However, she counted Oakley as a friend and friends were supposed to ask things like that. If there was something she could do to help, she would.

Aspen nodded. “I feel you on that. I have no idea where to even start with training.” She admitted softly. There really hadn’t been anyone to help her when she was a tribute considering how old District Nine’s last Victor had been. Luckily for Aspen, other mentors such as Marina and Birch had taken pity on her and assisted her during her training. “But Cambric can do this part for you, right? I am sure you’re great with sponsors and all that other stuff.” There were many facets to this mentoring thing she was finding.

“Though if you get some time, we should work on art at some point. I got a new set of watercolors I’d like to try. I’ve never worked with them before.”

[dreamsbornofgrain]

Aspen stood there just inside the door of the training center a moment praying she didn’t look too lost. She hadn’t felt this lost at the start of her own training, but then again, no one expected tributes to know what they were doing. Mentors however, they were supposed to know these things. She wished she had someone to ask, but District Nine’s other mentors were quite old and had elected not to make the trip to the Capitol now that they had someone to take their place. Right, she could figure this out.

“Hey...” Aspen said to the person next to her. “I was thinking of heading over to the first-aid or camouflage station, did you want to come?”

@ttwstarters​

[dreamsbornofgrain]

Aspen had talked to Oakley many times since the Victors Ball, but she had yet to find her friend since arriving in the Capitol. The craziness of the parade had made it hard, especially when she had imposed changes on District Nine’s stylist last minute. However, she did want to see how her friend was doing.

“You look like you need...” Aspen paused for a moment as she looked at Oakley giving her a smile. “I’d say a cupcake, but I am fresh out.” At some point she would have to decorate some and pass them out. “How about some company as we walk down to the training center?”

@oakleydressel​

[dreamsbornofgrain]

TRIBUTE PARADE -- DISTRICT NINE

Once the homemade tornado died down, the tributes for District Nine were revealed. For the male, an expertly deconstructed suit with carefully placed tears and dirt to complete the tornado inspired look. For Harper, an elegant look of the wind-swept Goddess of the storms that frequent District Nine in the spring. The wind-swept hairstyles, the storm-battered appearance, is meant to showcase the strength, power, and unpredictability of the weather; a power in which even the strongest cannot contain. The silvers play on the grays of the storm, the shine of the rain, and the ambiance of the calm both before and after the storm.

District Nine’s tributes are here to send a message, that they are an unstoppable force of nature.

@harper-lennox