๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐: ๐๐
๐ด๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐บ ๐ท๐ด๐ย 1
๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ค: ๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ + ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก - ๐ผ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐โ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐
๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ โ ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ค โ ๐ง๐๐ฑ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ซ โ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ซ
Maria woke up sore and alone, a knowledge in the back of her mind that if she moved her head it would send pain shooting down her spine. Pushing herself up from marble floors carefully, she noticed she was in the bathroom of her quarters. Her back cracked and her neck ached. She supposed that was what she got from sleeping on the floor.ย
When she went to open the door, consciously avoiding the mirror, it swung open, and the face of a stoic Avox quickly turned into shock as they realised Maria was in the nude.
Maria slammed the door in their face.
She waited to hear the Avox scurry out of the room before she tried to open the door again, noting the training outfit laid out on her made bed. It was grey and red, made out of lycra with a stretchy fit.
Quickly changing, she went to have breakfast, absent-mindedly wondering what time it was.ย
Pomona was at the table already, but no one else was. She was early. โGood morning Maria,โ she said, reaching across the table for some butter for her toast. โYou're up early, I heard it was a long day for you.โ She flashed her a knowing glance. โCaligula has a moreโฆ brutal, sense of style, I hope the hospital stay wasnโt too stressfulโ
โHow many people know about me?โ Maria sat down across from her, not touching any food as the memory of yesterday zapped her appetite.
โOnly those who need to know, the Gamemakers want to keep the Tributes as real as possible to the audience.โ Pomona looked at Mariaโs empty plate. โEat up, training starts today, and I need you in top shape for the arena.โย
The quiet sound of the bustling Capitol outside filled the air as the two ate in silence.
Pomona spoke again, โI want you to memorise all of the other Tributes, I want you to know their names, their ages, and their strengths and weaknesses by heart at the end of the day. Training starts at 10, most Tributes will get there early but you have an hour before youโll stand out by arriving late.โ Pomona rose from her chair, โI suggest you watch the Reaping tapes.โย
The echo of Pomonaโs footsteps broke the blanket of quietness that surrounded them.
Finishing the slice of bread she had been nibbling on, Maria moved to the circle couch on the other side of the room, the big TV opposite it buzzing to life. Pomona had left tapes of all of the Reapings on the inconveniently low coffee table, and Maria pushed in the first one.
The Tributes of District 1 were volunteers, obviously, both 18, and both equally deadly. A boy, Paris and a girl, Shimmer.ย
So were the Tributes of District 2, though the boy, magnificently tall and built like an ox did strike a chord of fear into her.ย She was going into the arena with him?ย The girl, Bellona, was also tall, but even she looked small next to him. The boy was called Romulus.ย
District 3 was different, their district had acted out more during the Rebellion and so didnโt have the privilege of being careers. Tribute training wasnโt allowed, but the Districts with more favour from the Capitol seemed to have leeway; Districts 1, 2, and 4. The Tributes of District 3; Bug and Alexa, seemed like ants in comparison to the other Tributes sheโd seen, but Maria knew not to sweep them under the rug. Though they hadnโt any training, they were almost guaranteed to be clever, and a well-fed, clever Tribute was something to beย veryย afraid of.
District 4 was more of the same, a bronze haired boy, Caspian, who looked strangely familiar for a reason she couldn't quite place, and Sirene, an enchantingly beautiful girl.
District 5 was similar to District 3, Watt and Dynamo.
District 6, Ahim and Kia.
District 7, Oak and Joan. Oak looked no older than 10.ย
District 8 was where she started to see equals, both Tributes were rake thin and hollow-eyed, Tassel and Lacey, a blond boy and a delicate girl.
District 9, Harvey and Farrah. The boy broke down in tears when his name was called and had to be dragged to the stage.
District 10, Chop and Buckie.
Did she want to watch? She decided not to.
District 12, Abraham and Daisy. Both of them were filthy; hair caked in soot and fingernails stained black. They looked eerily similar, down to their stick-thin legs and olive skin. Maria decided she neednโt worry about them.
The sounds of swords clashing and projectiles thumping seeped through the door to the training room. She was late. The doorย whooshedย open automatically, giving way to a grey and steel room.ย
All of the careers were at the weapons area as expected, deathly precise with their current choices. She recognised Bellona from 2 beheading a training dummy with her sword, a morbid display of grace as she did a twirl to offset the momentum of her attack. The girl caught her staring. She smirked at Maria as if she were already dead, her cannon booming in the arena.
Most of the other Tributes were at the numerous survival stations, unsupervised as they had arrived early, and were trying their hand at building fires or setting traps.
She saw Oak from 7 kneeling next to his district partner, watching as she whittled down a stick to a short spear. The girl didnโt look too pleased at having a tail, but did nothing to make him leave as he tried to copy her actions with his own stick and knife.
Maria counted 20 people in the room including herself, deducing that the Tributes from 12 were nowhere to be seen, as well as Peppa, and one other she couldnโt place.
Maria made her way to a survival station for first aid. Without an instructor there she wouldnโt get very far. She saved the station for later.
Instead, she found herself at the rope station; there were diagrams for numerous different knots along a table next to a box of ropes. She stayed there, attempting to make a slip knot with varying success.
She didnโt know why sheโd need knots in the arena, she didnโt know how to hunt and she sure wasnโt gonna hang someone. But truthfully she didnโt know where to start. She had no idea how to handle a weapon, she couldnโt set traps, and would probably need extensive help from a trainer for that, and she didn't know how she could prepare herself for the arena. There would be no diagrams in the arena, no trainers to wait for when she hurt herself.ย
The clock struck 10. A woman came out from a doorway on the other side of the room, and high up in the wall; a window was unveiled by a mechanical curtain made to blend into the surroundings seamlessly. The Gamemakers.ย
โAlright everybody! Gather around, I want you all to listen very carefully because I will not be repeating myself, is that clear?โ The woman eyed all of the children surrounding her, โGood. My fellow instructors and I will be manning the survival stations and the weapons area. All instructors are experts in their fields and we will try to help you as best we can in the next three days.โ She started to patrol the group, looking each one of them up and down. โThe rules are as follows:ย noย maiming until the arena,โ she looked pointedly at the career pack. โNo threatening staff, and most of all, work hard. Off you go.โย
Everybody dispersed immediately back to where they were previously, getting tutelage from the trainers now sat at each station.ย
Maria felt a tug on her wrist, looking for the source, she saw Peppa had found his way down to the training room.ย
โTrain with me?โ He asked timidly, he opened his mouth to say more but couldnโt seem to find the words.ย
โI was just at the rope station, would you like to come back there with me?โ Maria said kindly, not expecting a verbal answer as she guided him gently to the table with the basket of ropes. Peppa nodded.
โI didnโt realise weโd be this close to them beforeโฆโ Peppa trailed off.ย
Maria hummed as she picked up her abandoned slip knot. โIf you donโt bother them, they wonโt bother you, though this is a good time to try and get an ally if you fancy.โย
โWill you be my ally?โ Peppa looked at her shyly.
โOf course I will, District 11 stays together.โ
โTogether, I like that.โ Peppa picked up his own rope, invigorated.
โMe too.โ Her knot came together seamlessly.
โHas Seeder told you to learn the other Tributes?โ Maria and Peppa had moved to the first aid station, and were practicing tourniquets on each other.ย
Peppa bit his lip, twisting the small tube of metal they had been given for the tourniquet. โShe said to, but I havenโt looked at the tapes yet.โย
โThat's fine, the careers are over in the weapon area, all six of them, can you see?โ Maria pointed.
โYeah, the big one looks like trouble.โ
โYeah, his nameโs Romulus if I remember correctly.โ Maria pointed to the fire station, โthose two are from 7, the boy is Oak and the older girl is Joan.โ
Peppa fiddled with a bandage. โHe looks nice.โย
โHe does, do you want to ally with him as well?โ Maria asked, giving the decision to Peppa.
โMaybe, the girl looks good too.โ Maria watched her effortlessly light a fire with two sticks.
โYouโre right, we should talk to them tomorrow, how does that sound?โ She turned back to Peppa.
โYeah, let's do that.โ
They were sat in one of the many lounges on their floor of the CTC, Peppa and Seeder in another room similar to theirs. Training.
Maria watched from the couch as her mentor paced the room thoughtfully. โDistrict 1, Paris and Shimmer; both 18, both deadly.โ
โGood, District 7.โ Pomona had been testing her on her fellow Tributes for what felt like hours, Maria felt she could recite their whole families. โMaria? District 7.โ
โSorry, I zoned out. District 7, Oak and Joan, Oak is 12 and Joan is 15. Peppa likes them, so theyโre possible allies as well.โ
Pomona grinned at her. โStrategic, I like it.โย
โDistrict 7 is lumber, and like District 11, their children work young. The boy may not know how to wield an axe, but the girl will.โ Pomona sat next to Maria, grasping her hands. โYou don't have to ally with the boy, you know, if we can find you a skill to use in the arena I think you have a good shot at making it on your own. The media loves the fact you have a daughter, and the Capitol audience loved your show in the Parade, so youโre bound to get sponsors. But, you can get away with not being with him for the games.โ
Maria frowned at her, โwhy would I not want to ally with Peppa? Heโsโโ
Pomona sighed through her nose and tightened her hold on Maria's hands, trapping them in. โHeโs young. It's most likely that he won't make it very far. It's best you ally with the girl from 7, or even better, get into the careers ranks."
Discomfort and anger bubbled in Mariaโs gut,ย how could she say that?ย
She pulled her hands away. โWeโre staying together.โ She said quietly, imploring Pomona with her eyes before leaving the room to prevent herself from saying something she would regret.
โMaria!โ Pomona hissed, getting up from the couch. โAll Iโm saying is that heโll hold you down,ย donโt you want to get back to your daughter?โPomona gripped her arm, pulling her back to face her mentor.
โDo not bring my daughter into this. Do you hear me?โ Mariaโs voice was icy, her teeth bared, daring Pomona to argue further.
Pomona rolled her eyes, opening her mouth to retort.
โDo. You. Hear me?โ She poked the woman in the chest, getting in the mentor's space as rage simmered inside her. โNot a day goes by when I donโt think of coming back to her. I donโt want you to think for even a second that once I get into that arena I wonโtโโ
โMaria?โ Peppa came out of the opposite room, looking between her and Pomona timidly, he must have heard them from outside the door. โWhat's going on?โย
Immediately her face softened, her posture relaxing as she turned her back to her mentor to kneel in front of her short companion, โIโm fine honey, why arenโt you with Seeder?โ
โWe finished for the day, she says that getting an alliance with Oak and what's-her-face would be good.โ Peppa smiled bashfully, and Maria giggled.
โOak and Joan.โ She brushed a strand of untamable hair away from his face, โItโs getting late, and it was a big day for training, I think tomorrow weโll hit the weapons area instead of the survival stations, that sound okay?โ
Maria held his hand. โLetโs go to bed then.โ
On Mariaโs first night of actually sleeping in her new bed, she couldnโt sleep. Thoughts of Peppa being hurt or injured plagued her mind. Herself being killed because of his weakness, or even worse, Maria being the cause of his death.ย
Not making it back to Briar and Jenny was inconceivable to her, but winning the Games was even more of an impossibility. How could she, Maria Laurier, outlive all 23 of the other Tributes?
Something Pomona had said earlier echoed in her mind. An alliance with the careers would keep her alive exponentially, but there was no way she could plausibly achieve that. Or, maybe she could. The Capitol loved her so far, and she was sure she could get sponsors if she knocked the interviews out of the park. She wasnโt all that present during the Tribute Parade, the shock of the previous days still infesting all of her waking hours. The Interviews could be planned for, if she could make the Capitol attached, they wouldnโt want her gone, and the careers could be lured by possible sponsor gifts.
A Tribute from District 4 won that way a few years ago, Finnick Odair. She didnโt think he would be a mentor this year, as he was only 14 when he won. In fact he was probably only a year older her right now. What a thought.ย
Though, she thought, he had been a career, and had the skills to use the gifts he was given to slaughter his competition mercilessly in record time. Maria doubted she could do that.
But that led to the thought: why would she want to ally with the careers? Yes, they could keep her alive in the beginning, but alliances could be broken, especially later in the Games when there werenโt many people left. And she was sure they would kill her in a heartbeat if they wanted to.ย
It was better if she and Peppa stayed together, and reaped the sponsor gifts from the notoriety they gained in the Parade.
Adrenaline ran softly in her veins. She had a plan, and there was no way she could sleep after making aย literallyย life changing decision.
Seeder had mentioned that there was roof access in the building, but it was a bit of a maze to get up without being on the top floor. That didnโt matter, she had all night.
She slipped her feet into cloud like slippers she'd found in her closet earlier that night. She deliberated putting on proper clothes instead of coming out in her pyjamas, the soft cotton shorts and t-shirt she wore wouldnโt protect her from the cold if it was windy. She decided not to.ย
Slipping out of her room silently, she paused at Peppaโs door opposite hers. Was he awake as well? She wondered if he wouldโve liked to join her, but the soft snores she heard from the other side of the door made the decision for her. She smiled to herself before padding down the hall to the elevators to take her up.
Soft wind whistled through wind chimes in a rose garden on one side of the roof, the rest was empty except for a few maintenance boxes and a bench overlooking the Capitol in front of the glass rails lining the edge of the roof.
She thought she would be alone, but the glow of bronze hair caught her eye as the boy from Four came into view. She turned around to leave. She had no intention of an alliance with the careers, as if she could get one, and she didnโt want trouble before she even entered the arena.
โYou can stay, I donโt mind.โ
Her skin prickled with goosebumps. How should she respond? โItโs okay, I only came up for some air.โ She mumbled, reaching her hand to open the access door.ย
He took a step forward. โPlease, stay?โ
He grinned, charmingly crooked teeth flashing at her. โWhy not?โ
โI can think of a few reasons, actually.โ
He huffed good naturedly. โAnd here I thought you were Lawfully Blond before the Academy.โ
โJeez, you really are District arenโt you.โ
โI donโt appreciate boys telling me what I am and am not. Not everybody has a TV. Even in District 4.โ Out of spite, she opened the door and began to descend the steps down to the elevators before he could fit another word in.
โOkay, Iโm sorry, I just need to speak to someone who isnโt my brother or Sirene for once my whole stay here apart from bloody Flickerman.โ
His brother? Did he get to have his brother here? Maria saw red. How could he, someone almost guaranteed to win, get to have family come with him, when Briar, her baby, her daughter, who needed her toย survive, had to stay in District 11?
Spinning on her heel she found herself face to face with the boy, he had followed her and had blocked her exit back onto the roof. โHow?โ she asked, grabbing his arm in a death grip. She needed answers.
He looked at her confused, furrowing his stupidly perfect eyebrows. โHow what?โย
โHow did you get your brother into the Capitol? I couldnโt even get my ownย daughterย here. So why, theย fuck, do you get your stupid brother when my daughter has to die slowly because I canโt feed her from half across theย bloodyย country?!โ without realising, she had backed him against the rail. It was almost comical, he was at least 5 centimeters taller than her, and looked significantly stronger as well, his sleep shirt did nothing to hide the lean strength he possessed in his arms and torso. And he had allowed himself to be backed up to a ledge on a 12 story building by a girl from District 11.
He looked at her, obviously amused by her unexpected outburst. โTrust me, I want him here about as much as you do, but when your brotherโs Finnick Odair, you can learn a thing or two about winning. More than you can from the oldies anyway.โ
Mariaโs breathing calmed as she put two and two together. Oh. she must have not heard his last name when he was reaped. โYou asked me to stay. Why?โ
He chucked, โI told you, I want someone to talk to, and you look like someone who can listen. Or at least, you did.โ
She looked at him blankly, โHa ha. Very funny.โ
โSit with me.โ Caspian grasped her hand, leading her towards it. She ripped her hand out of his grip, but followed anyway.
A warm July breeze listened as the two Tributes talked, tentatively at first, but soon they realised they had much more in common than they thought. Maria learnt about the fishing boat Caspian sailed on with his brother; apparently the elder Odair hadnโt wanted to stop working and bought a boat with his Victor's earnings, and Caspian heard all about Briar, and The Orchard, and even her annoyance on the years rising fruit prices,ย "I picked it, why should I have to buy it for five times what I was paid?"ย Caspian had readily agreed with her. In District 4, if you didnโt own a fishing boat and took some of your yield for yourself, the only way to eat fish was to catch it in the shallows or buy it for extortionate prices. Though recreational fishing was forbidden, there was a significant black market that Peacekeepers often turned a blind eye to.
โYou know, I think you and Finnick would get along great. Youโve got that sameโฆ brooding quality.โ Caspian said, leaning back against the bench to look at the grey sky โ the light pollution in the Capitol was so prevalent that the nights werenโt even fully dark. Unlike District 11 with its sprawling fields and no lights for miles; the stars were constant, winking at Maria and her little family nightly. She missed the stars.
โFinnick Odair is capable of brooding? Also, I donโt brood.โ She frowned at him. โDo I?โ
He laughed, โyouย soย do, but yeah, not on camera, obviously, but sometimes on the water heโll just sit at the prow and stay there for hours. Brooding.โ
Maria yawned and stretched her back, satisfying pops releasing the tension from her shoulders. โWell, I think Iโm gonna hit the sack, Iโve got to get Peppa up in time for training.โ
โPeppaโs the kid right? Heโs cute.โ
She smiled, โyeah, heโs sweet, reminds me of a friend back home. Anyway.โ she stood up, offering her hand to Caspian. โHave a nice night. Iโll see you in the morning.โ
He stood as well. โYou too, Iโm gonna stay out here a little longer before I head in, itโs a long elevator ride,โ he joked, leaning against the rail.
She rolled her eyes at him good naturedly before heading down stairs, the door shutting with aย clickย .
He stood there for a while, staring at the door she had disappeared behind. He sighed and rubbed his face with his hands, as if he could rub away the thought of her from his mind.ย Fuckย .
Maria stood in the elevator as it descended to the 11th floor. Had she just made a friend? And a career at that?
What was wrong with her?!
Headcannon: the capitol has movies but they're altered to be more aligned with the capitol. So Legally Blond at Harvard becomes Lawfully Blond at the Academy.
The reason why Caspian knows about it is that victors (or at least victors in high-up districts) have access to capitol TV, and Finnick had Caspian and the rest of the family move in. (Finnick does not know Annie at this point so their possible living situation doesn't affect this atm)