#angus cooper

[wornoutspines]

The new Lynley adaptation starts off a little slow, but I found myself enjoying the character dynamics more than the mystery. 🕵️‍♂️✨​ Leo Suter as Lynley? Perfect casting. Sofia Barclay as Havers? Solid. I’m here for the vibes. #Lynley #CrimeDrama #InspectorLynley Full review here:

Lynley (2025) - A Place of Hiding Review | A Slow but Intriguing Start for the New Inspector Lynley Adaptation

[61sthungergames-blog]

Angus During the Reaping

The bus came to a thundering stop just outside the town's main square. Soft cries, which had begun once the engine revved on, were still coming from the back of the bus while everyone else tried to ignore it. Angus was having a hard time doing so. He remembered his first Reaping two years ago. He had been a terrified teary mess and nothing had calmed him down, not even seeing his sister for the first time in years. His big sister who, as soon as she spotted him, had pushed her way through the crowd of locals to stand right behind the wooden barricade. Tara stayed within Angus' sight as both tributes were chosen, and after the future fallen were escorted into the Justice Building she gathered him into her arms refusing to let go until it was time to board the bus back home.

A shudder went through his body and he swallowed thickly, trying to push away the fear that had slowly crept into his chest. The cries continued as the teens of Roan Bay filed out and lined up for registration. Angus bowed his head as he stood, taking a swift look over his shoulder to see his classmate, Cavy, consoling her crying younger brother. He looked away to give the siblings some privacy, knowing that either or both might not make the return trip home.

He smeared his blood onto the registration page, grimacing at the sting still left behind. All around him, teens from every corner of District 10 were chatting quietly, trading new herding techniques or complaints about feed distribution. It still amazed him how, even in the face of the worst part of the year, his district would take this day as an opportunity to learn as much from each other as possible. It was the only thing they could look forward to.

"Uncle Angus!" He turned at the sound of his name and watched as a young girl with a heart shaped face and long brown hair ran toward him. Brandy may be his niece but she was closer to his age than any of his siblings. She had turned twelve in the middle of calving season and this would be her first Reaping on the other side of the barricade. She stopped just in front of him, a strained smile on her face as she reached over to kiss his cheek in greeting. "Uncle Angus, good luck today."

Angus copied her slightly worried smile and pat her gently on the shoulder, "It'll be fine. The Cooper luck's gonna strike again and pass right over you to someone else."

"I hope so. Last year's Games was... It was horrible." Angus wanted to say more to reassure her, or even hold her close, but the sad truth was that he didn't know her well enough to be comfortable with it. While Angus lived in Roan Bay, further east and closer to the district's border, Brandy was born and raised here where his sister Tara, Brandy's mother, and her husband had been assigned to live after their wedding. The Reaping was the only opportunity they had to catch up, but the few minutes spent together before the main event didn't necessarily mean that uncle and niece knew each other well.

Angus just nodded his head and squeezed Brandy's shoulder, "You should get in place. It's gonna start soon."

With a final shaky smile and a peck on the cheek Brandy quickly moved to the back of the crowd where the younger kids stood. Angus stepped in line with his classmates and waited nervously for the opening video to start.

The next thing he knew, the mayor was up on stage to introduce the Capitol escort, a young woman -at least, she looked young- with tattoos peeking out from beneath the sleeves of her dress, curling around her biceps and down to her hands and fingers. She looked just like someone from the Capitol should: colorful, well fed, and absolutely gleeful that the Games was upon them. When she smiled down at the congregation of District 10 children in front of her, Angus saw a wolf in her place staring down its next meal. As the escort's hand dipped into the girl's Reaping bowl, Angus' fists clenched. He hoped more than anything that the Cooper luck would continue onto the next generation and that Brandy wouldn't be chosen.

Please don't let her be chosen.

A delicate, tattooed hand held up a pristine piece of paper, "And here we are! This year's female tribute will be... Kerry Fforde!"

Instant relief.

No one stepped forward at first, but after the escort called the name once more a tall blonde stepped out from a group of older teenagers Angus didn't recognize. Her polished leather boots clacked loudly on the steps as she ascended to the stage, head held high and no sign of anxiety or fear in her movement. She certainly made a good first impression. The escort grinned, dark and hungry, as Kerry Fforde stood beside her. The second bowl was wheeled forward and a slim hand reached in.

"And now, District 10, this year's male tribute will be," The paper gave way to a sharp fingernail, "Angus Cooper!"

Six children and one grandchild had all escaped the Reaping, but there just wasn't enough luck left over for the runt of the Cooper clan.

[61sthungergames-blog]

[61sthungergames-blog]

Little Lonely Angus

Daddy used to tease that Angus was so good with horses because he was nearly born on one. Momma had been well past her due date but she had decided to go on a short ride anyway. She barely made it the two miles to the nearest barn before he was introduced to the world, red faced and squalling. Being the youngest of a large brood made it harder for him to interact with anyone except his horses. People were too complex and too hard to figure out. They had mean spirits and were capable of unfathomable cruelty, to animals and to each other. But horses were Angus's refuge. He learned to ride before he learned to walk and he rode like the best of them. As he grew up and the once crowded family house began to empty (each of his six sibling eventually married and relocated to different villages in the district, save for Jack who was allowed to stay in Roan Bay) Angus's loneliness magnified.

The best part of his day was spending time with the horses, whether it was cleaning their stalls, brushing them down, or giving them a work out in the paddock. At school, he was a boy with no friends but at the ranch he was surrounded by animals that depended on him and loved him. He was at his best when he was around a horse. As he replaced the hay in Luna's stall, Angus hoped that he would never have to leave them.

[61sthungergames-blog]

Magnus in training

It was easy to tell the good from the mediocre, Magnus thought, watching the other tributes in training as he bent over the fire-starting station, making a neat, small, low-smoke fire with a flint and steel. It wasn't too hard, once you worked out how to make it spark. And the trick to low smoke was simply to keep it down to embers as much as possible.

So while he practiced, he kept an eye on everyone else. The Careers were a clear block, hugely skilled, making use of the weaponry as easily as if it were a part of their bodies. Then there were the rest, who varied massively.

There were a few that it would be a miracle if they made it away from the Cornucopia, like the little girl from 5 being carefully supervised by her red-haired district partner, or the dark-haired boy from 10 who looked like a baby deer uncertain how it's body worked, or the still weeping girl from 11 leaning heavily on her boyfriend, or the obviously terrified girl from 12, or the red-haired girl from 6 steadfastly refusing to participate in any of it.

There were some who would clearly do just fine as long as they didn't cross paths with the Careers. The pretty boy from 6 that Echo was enamored with seemed to be that kind. As did the fiesty dark-haired girl from 9 and her district partner, young but strong. The girl from 7 seemed all-around competent if not stand-out in anything. He thought he and Echo might fit in that group too.

There were only a couple who genuinely seemed like they might be a match for the Careers. The boy from 7 wielded an axe as easily as if he had been born with it in his hand, which Magnus could well believe. The boy from 12 seemed similarly competent with a pick-axe. But apart from that, it would be a lot more strategy than brute force that could have a chance.

That, he figured, could widen the field quite far enough for the ones who weren't so handy with a weapon. And that meant, he thought, blowing his fire back down to embers, that he might possibly have a chance.

[61sthungergames-blog]

Kerry in the Opening Ceremonies

Her costume was massive on her. The skirt was fine, if a little short, and the boots were brilliant - comfortable, hard-working style, even if they were new and delicately decorated. The problem was entirely in the top. It was a huge contraption, a horned cattle head that her stylist had apparently authorized, with a wire frame to give it shape covered by painted fabric. It didn’t even look especially like a cow, Kerry thought vindictively.

That didn’t matter, of course. She doubted that anyone outside of District 10 had even seen a cow, or a pig, or a sheep, or any of the other animals that were so much a part of what she considered everyday life. That was what the district system did, after all.

The first chariot, with its glistening occupants, left the stables, starting the tribute parade. Kerry stood uneasily near the horses that would carry them around the arena, but didn’t dare touch them. She didn’t want them to sense her frazzled nerves and get spooked. That was the last thing they needed. Angus, on the other hand, had no such concern, and was patting one of the horses on the nose, smiling. His mentor stood beside him, trying to encourage him back to where Kerry was, behind the chariot. He didn’t want to move.

All too soon, they were in place on the back of the chariot, standing side by side, and then they were moving.

The crowd rumbled with noise constantly, but a roaring wave followed each of the chariots. The Capitol cheered loudly and dramatically, sound rising from every corner of the parade route, and Kerry fought the rising urge to flee or vomit or both. She gripped the chariot, and forced herself still. Jersey wouldn’t want her to show fear.

The thought only made her feel homesick. She loved him, and the thought that she might lose him was impossible, and yet almost certain. She knew she had to be looking awful now, but she knew just as well that she couldn’t afford to; this was her chance to impress. She looked up towards the crowd, and pictured Jersey smiling at her, and blocked out everything else. From there she could hold a smile - half real, even - plastered on her face. The chariot’s movement was smooth, the horses un-spooked, and she felt secure enough to use just one hand to hold her up, and one to wave at the adoring crowd.

It was blatant playing to the crowd. It wasn’t who she was. But if it was what it took to take her safely back to Jersey, then she would do it. And with that decision, she loosed her hands from the chariot entirely.

[61sthungergames-blog]

Nero at the Bloodbath

It was a city, a ruined one. It was an instant recognition. It was a new arena style, and he quickly sussed out that this wouldn't change the strategy of the bloodbath.

Time ticked by, the mandatory minute, and Nero looked around the Cornucopia. There were spears and swords, and more than a few packs and bits of equipment that they would seize and investigate later. And that, that there was a warhammer - he wanted that. He glanced to either side, and locked eyes first with Diamant a bit to his right, then Glitz and then Dorado further to his left. He couldn't quite meet Opah's eyes, and if there was one Career they would get on without, it would be her. He couldn't see Decima at all, on the other side of the Cornucopia. That, he decided, was probably for the best.

Ten seconds, he guessed, and steadied his nerves. The girl from District Eight was beside him on the right, and the boy from Ten was on his left. This would be easy. He grinned predatorily, and the gong sounded.

He leapt off of his platform. He didn't bother heading for the Cornucopia, sprinting instead for the boy beside him. He was small and slow off the mark. Nero was gaining on him as he bent over to grab a small pack on his way away from the bloodbath. It was enough time to gain the remaining few steps.

Nero grabbed his wrist, startling him and making the small boy drop the bag. Nero pulled the defenseless boy toward him, reached his arm around his head, and twisted. His neck snapped and he was dead.

Nero dropped the body and turned back toward the Cornucopia. Time to get that warhammer.