mirror mirror on the wall

21. district 3.

[astorian-waldorf]

Ash was moving through the arena, after the Launch, his goal was to put as much distance between him and the cornucopia and to find Finch. He was in what he was pretty sure was some sort of water themed part of the arena, and as he was moving he came across a slow moving body of water, he would have to ignore it, sure it was shallow but since he couldn't swim he wasn't going to risk it. Then he heard screaming, and sure he knew that that it was probably best to ignore it, but he felt something in his gut telling him to go help who ever it was coming from. Quickly running towards it, he found Nanni, and sure enough she was in trouble. Ash hated that he wasn't surprised. Offering her his hand,

"Quick grab it, I'll try and pull you free from whatever that is! Are you being bitten or attacked or anything?"

[nannivalentine]

Nanni was equal parts relieved and embarrassed when it turned out to be Ash and not one of the other tributes. She'd liked him better than the other tributes, even if he was poor he'd been nice to talk to. Plus he was easy on the eyes and that didn't hurt either. Once again she gave herself a mental pat on the back for making her outfit cuter. It made sense for him to want to help her if she looked this cute. She reached for his hand, barely being able to grasp it as she felt the vines moving further. "Nothing like that. It's like these plant things are wrapping around my legs and i don't have anything to cut them off. I tried hitting it with my mirror but that didn't help."

[nannivalentine]

Somehow Nanni had been under the impression that she could get out of the arena, but those hopes dashed quickly when she got strapped into the rollercoaster. It wasn't something she was familiar with as they didn't have anything like that in district three. The other girl from her district didn't even survive that - which Nanni definitely attributed to her just being superior to Dot. Not that that had been new information to her. The worst thing however, were the outfits they had been put in. A boxy grey t-shirt and jean shorts that hit at an awkward length? It was the first thing she fixed when she was alone, knotting the t-shirt into a crop top and rolling up the hem of the shorts. Checking herself out in the mirror she won in the bloodbath. While Link had warned her to run away immediately she knew she'd need a mirror and she believed that she could take the other tribute going for it as well. She'd been right. While all the tributes ran into different directions she made her way towards what would be the lazy river, finding it quiet and free of mutts. There was some food and drinks there so she'd had her fill before exploring further. There were some good hiding spots which she'd utilised at first. Things were running smoothly for her for a while, until she'd decided to explore the lazy river further, getting her foot stuck in the algae. It was inching up her leg slowly and she was stuck between screaming and alerting others of her presence or trying to yank her leg free. She was trying to use the mirror to hit the algae and break it but it wasn't working. She screamed in frustration, needing to come up with a plan fast.

@ashplacer

[nannivalentine]

TASK 005: THRILLS

Nanni definitely isn't an adrenaline junkie, what excites her can vary from a new pair of shoes, to a dress, to shoes or even hearing gossip about someone she disliked. Material things had always brought her joy, relishing in being envied by her classmates for whatever new thing she wore that day.

[nannivalentine]

TASK 002: CHILDHOOD BEDROOM

Nanni's childhood bedroom is the one she still lived in when she was reaped, she'd never left her parents home, feeling comfortable and cared for and seeing no need to venture out on her own. While her room had undergone changes over the years, the bathroom stayed the same. There was never a lack of mirrors or the color pink in all of her decor choices, however.

[m-entities]

Oxford grinned, simply unable to contain himself. "Hmmm," he hummed, tilting his head to one side. "I mean. You're not not pretty. Just small things, y'know? That little spot under your ear, the way your shoulders slope at slightly different angles... if anything, that's gonna be your biggest problem." He raised his eyebrows as if he were an authority on the subject. "Different height shoulders means your arms swing differently."

[nannivalentine]

At his words she immediately whipped out a compact mirror, checking her ear out and frowning when he mentioned her shoulders. She wasn't able to see what he meant, she'd have to check with a bigger mirror later. "My shoulders aren't different heights... are they?"

[linkcache]

and, as always, it was back to the hair. "oh, nanni..." how did she explain that murderous prowess had little to do with how a hair was styled? "They might come after you to try and kill you because your hair is so nice. that's why you have to run." it felt like lying, but if it got through to her tribute, was it really all that immoral?

[nannivalentine]

Nanni nodded, being able to follow Link's reasoning now that it made sense to her. "Yeah, it's only natural for them to be jealous of me because of my hair. I guess running makes sense then."

[lyra-kolb]

"Just to visit? I don't think I could ever live here. Seems too weird." Maybe she would, though. In some wild world where she was a rich ass victor, she could tuck up in some pent house apartment while whoever needed it stayed in her mansion in Twelve. She could go back and forth smuggling what people needed-- food, clothes, medicine. That might be okay. "You could jus' buy a bunch'a dolls, though, y'know?" Finch laughed. "But I guess there's somethin' to be said for that." Knowing what you were good at and why you were making choices. "Most people back in Twelve jus' have kids by accident and then they're stuck with 'em. Doesn't mean they don't love 'em, but people jus' don't think about it too much."

[nannivalentine]

"I think I would enjoy living here. It's way nicer than district three." She loved how luxurious everything was, she felt like the people here were on her level. "Not the same thing." Dolls would bore her after a while, then again, who was to say children wouldn't either? "Don't people in twelve have to work in mines and stuff? All your things would get so dirty. I feel like that's a bigger problem."

[linkcache]

oh, so many. Link had so much knowledge she wished to smush into Nanni. part of her wished there were a procedure that could funnel the knowledge from one to the other, like a download. for now, though, she'd have to stick to talking. "Let's talk bloodbath strategy. careers got mediocre scores this round, which is good for us, it means they're just okay. but it also means they're going to be hungry for blood to prove themselves, so you run away, okay? run away, let them scrape each other up and die and wait on that personality to get you whatever gifts you need. I expect quite a few coming your way."

[nannivalentine]

"I told you I wasn't that impressed by them. If the girl from one can't even style her hair right, what hope does she have?" That was the indicator of power to her. Good hair. "I think I'll get a lot of gifts too. The capitol is so going to love me, I just know it. I'll need you to get me hair products. That's really important."

[nannivalentine]

"So... are there any last minute tips you have for me? Something you haven't told me yet that I absolutely need to know?" Nanni asked as she sipped her drink, looking over at her mentor. She believed herself to be well prepared, thinking she would charm the public even more as she went into the arena.

@linkcache

[m-entities]

Ox's brow furrowed. It seemed as if this girl was truly, honestly, earnestly using this as her metric for success. It was a shocking departure from what he expected. He had anticipated Careers mocking him for lack of training, trying to intimidate him. He had expected outer Districts to be wary of him. But for this girl to be so focused on this... it baffled him.

"I dunno," he said, giving her a side eye and feeling petty. "I feel like there's going to be at least a few hotter than you." He smirked. "I mean, I might be from Nine, but I know plenty of girls back home who outshine you."

[nannivalentine]

Nanni blinked slowly as if she was trying to compute what he just said, needing it to register as she was sure she misunderstood what he'd said. Then she let out a laugh. Girls in District Nine looking better than her was impossible. If she had one thing it was self confidence in spades and a significant lack of self awareness. She thought it ridiculous and didn't take his words seriously. "I'm perfectly symmetrical and proportional without any surgeries. And my hair is shiny and healthy. I'm practically flawless."

[lyra-kolb]

"Sounds like pretty sweet digs," Finch admitted, because she dreamed of having a house that was hers, maybe a dog, clothes without holes. It wasn't anything quite as extravagant as what Nanni had in mind, but it would be way nicer than anything she had now, and it would be hers. "But what's the point of havin' a pet or a kid then?" She wondered. In Twelve, parents often relied on community to care for children, but those were different circumstances than just not wanting to watch them. "Shouldn't you wanna raise up your own kids?"

[nannivalentine]

"It was amazing. Is amazing. I love it here, but I definitely am looking forward to going back home to visit, you know? I bet I'll look even better as a Victor." She sighed, picturing it. "For entertainment obviously. I think I'll like playing with it and dressing it up. Perhaps I'll get along with it once the kid is old enough to talk." She shrugged. "I think it's better to let a professional handle it. I know my strengths and that's not one of them."

[linkcache]

The sponsor looked pleased, and link did too. her arm snaked around nanni's, and she squeezed the girl's hand approvingly. good job. keep it up. the girl was thriving in this environment. Although link worried how she'd fare in the arena, the money she'd make here would be helpful. wouldn't it?

"I'm proud of her already." Link said, agreeing.

"oh, adopting every victor three gets, are we?"

a chuckle from them both, and link shook her head. "fortunately, Nanni here has wonderful parents waiting for her back home. you know they used to employ my parents? It'll be nice to share dinners, maybe. but I'm sure narcissa doesn't need two sets of parents. do you?"

[nannivalentine]

She was glad that she seemed to be doing everything right, then again, Nanni knew that this part was what she would excel at. The arena was a thought she tended to push away, she'd deal with it when it came down to it. "My parents are amazing people, I think I am all set. They support the capitol and are amazed by the technological advancements here, so I am looking forward to bring them here to visit. I'm sure they would enjoy it immensely."

[lyra-kolb]

"Ah, there it is," Finch exhaled. Nanni wasn't just anyone from Three, her parents owned a whole company. Her life had been handed to her, nice and easy. "That's all you wanted to do? Jus' marry rich?" Finch didn't think much about the future at all. She had always been focused on each day as it came, but it didn't sound like a super lofty goal for someone like Nanni. "And then what? S'not like you'd be done livin' after that."

[nannivalentine]

"I want to have a huge house and a lot of clothes and jewellery. I love getting presents so my future husband would have to be able to afford me. I always wanted to get a pet or a kid if someone else watches them for me. I don't like to stress myself out, it causes wrinkles."

[m-entities]

Ox was briefly stunned by this girl. But hadn't this become... indicative of Three? A pattern, even. Perhaps things in those Districts were truly changing. Maybe there would be Careers from Three, from Seven, from Ten. He chuckled at the thought - there would never be Careers from Nine. But fine. He could play ball.

"Is that so?" He huffed. "Then I guess I'm coasting to the finals. It'll suck to see your face in the sky, but if that's the metric, then it can't be helped, I suppose."

[nannivalentine]

"It's simple logic. Of course the capitol citizen want to see someone good looking on their screens every day instead of someone less fortunate looking. I know I could never root for the ugly people." Perhaps that was just a her thing. "Objectively you're not that ugly, but there are better looking guys here. Guess we'll just have to see who fits the sponsors tastes better." At his next words she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, that's not gonna happen. I've seen the other female tributes. I'm the best looking one."

[astorian-waldorf]

"Oh true. I don't actually even know what District Two looks like." Pausing for a second, "Wait if District Three has a bunch of factories and stuff to make like phones, would that mean the District is like bleak or ugly or something?" Ash preferred a natural environment, he always had. Frowning when she said that she didn't share anything with her brother he felt a little bad for her. "Wait were you not close with your brother? If you didn't share anything and he was always working with your parents?"

[nannivalentine]

"I don't know either. I never put much thought into it, if I'm honest..." She trailed off with a shrug. "It's very technical looking I guess? A lot of computers and big buildings. I was the best looking person in the district and i'm gone now so it did get significantly uglier." Nanni fully believed her own words too. "Well no, not really. He's quite boring and serious, we don't have much in common."

[linkcache]

"She would." Link approved, and the sponsor seemed to as well. her expression was warm, at least, which was a lovely sign as she extended a hand to narcissa.

"well, miss valentine, it's a pleasure. Would you be taking up residency here in the capitol, or would you be returning to three?"

"I moved to the capitol." Link explained to Narcissa, quickly. she wasn't sure if that was exactly something she knew. "Three months ago. Madame Earogaunt's company actually supplied my family with furniture for our new apartment." surely, she was trying to see if investing in this victor would lead to more sales- and victorly promotion- of her brand.

[nannivalentine]

Nanni took great care in presenting herself from her best angle, acting as if this was another vote for student body president she was destined to win, aiming to charm the sponsor in front of her.

"Absolutely. The Capitol is amazing. Everything here is just so much more elegant than it is in district three. You know, I think I was always made to live here." She smiled a the sponsor. "Oh that was you? The place looks divine. I must hire you when I move here." She hadn't seen Link's apartment before, but the sponsor didn't know that.

[m-entities]

Ox rolled his eyes in return, exaggerating the gesture. He couldn't pinpoint why, but this girl had managed to wedge herself deeply and unequivocally under his skin. "Are you from One? Or Two? Or maybe Four?" His question was rhetorical; he could tell that something about her screamed outer District. "Because if not, the only reason they are 'rooting' for you, is for you to die."

[nannivalentine]

"I'm from district three. I know it's hard to tell because I'm so beautiful, but it's true. Did you see the girl from one? Atrocious hair. And she's supposed to represent them well?" She grimaced, shaking her head. "No one wants to see the pretty people die. Ugly ones go first."