#apogsidetask2

[leomacintosh-blog]

[dariuspanem-blog]

Darius's Playlist.

Otherside-Macklemore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvDQy53eldY

Broke, depressed and emotionally vacant.

Amazing-Kayne West

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH4JPgVD2SM

Never gave in Never gave up I'm the only thing I'm afraid of

Pursuit of Happiness-Kid Cudi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xzU9Qqdqww

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always going to be gold. I'll be fine once I get it. I'll be good.

I'm Alive- Disturbed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ-2J0b1uS0

You can't predict where the outcome lies, you'll never take me alive.

No Handlebars-Flobots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLUX0y4EptA

Look at me,look at meDriving and I won't stopAnd it feels so good to beALIVEAnd on top

[athelea-harte-blog]

Athelea's Playlist

Pretend - Lights

And when its the end Our lives will make sense And love, we'll bend lets play.... pretend. Its not gonna be long before we're all gone and nothing to show for them stop taking lives, come on let's all grow up again

The Sun Will Rise - Kelly Clarkson

I can see the wait there in your eyes  I can feel the sorrow in your sigh  Your knuckles are bruised from a losing fight  One way down a dead end street  Broken glass underneath your feet  You think the day won't break the sunless night  The sun will rise  The sun will rise  When you've lost your lights 

Silhouette - Owl City

I'm sick of the past I can't erase,  A jumble of footprints and hasty steps I can't retrace,  The mountains of things that I still regret,  Is a vile reminder that I would rather just forget  (No matter where I go)  The fire I began, is burning me alive  But I know better than to leave and let it die  I'm a Silhouette asking every now and then  Is it over yet? Will I ever smile again? 

Slow and Steady - Of Monsters and Men

The lights go out, I am all alone All the trees outside are buried in the snow I spend my night dancing with my own shadow And it holds me and it never lets me go [Chorus] I move slow and steady But I feel like a waterfall Yeah, I move slow and steady Past the ones that I used to know

No Light, No Light - Florence & The Machine

No light, no light in your bright blue eyes I never knew daylight could be so violent A revelation in the light of day You can choose what stays and what fades away And I'd do anything to make you stay

[harlanbuckram]

Ruby Red || Task Two

            Ruby Dalton. That girl scares the shit out of me. It’s not that she’s a killer. Let’s face it, what choice does any kid have when put in that situation? It’s kill or be killed. That’s just the way it works. And it’s not like I knew anyone of the tributes who were unfortunate enough to meet her whip. After Jules’ death, making friends just seemed like asking for trouble, so I’ve made a point of keeping to myself. The thing about Ruby Dalton that scares me the most, is the idea that someone could enjoy killing.

            It’s only been 14 years, and the Capitol has somehow managed to convince at least one girl that murdering other kids is just fine and dandy. The thought alone makes my stomach lurch. I could barley stop myself from turning away as she strangled those kids with that sick smirk across her lips. I have no desire to see that girl in person. I’ve heard rumors that there might be some kind of riot taking place and I don’t want to be there to see it. Staying out of trouble is something I’ve become quite accustomed to over the years. Working in my studio seems like a much better idea. I need to get dear old Ruby off my mind.

[zamara-braud]

Bow down to the victor || Side Task 2

Victor Tour. Well that was probably the only decision of the Capitol that I could agree on. It was fun to see the winner giving a well written speech (who are we kidding, everyone knew that wasn’t from their heartless selves) and trying not to look at the face of the families of the ones they had murdered.

This year a girl from district 1 (what a shocker) was the one to win the heart of the Capitolies and to get out alive of the Arena. The way she killed her fellow tributes, by using that whip, had quite an impact in the district 3 citizens, but I think it was entertaining. If you have to kill, better be original, am I right? Anyways, of course I was pushed to go and take part of the party.

The minute I arrived to the Justice Building I saw the same confusion as always, everyone busy with the preparations.  “Aren’t you excited kids!?” Mom asks, looking at Rover and I. This is the last year my younger brother was safe from the reaping, and you could realize that just be looking at his terrified face when Ruby Dalton appears in the balcony.

People clap, the families that lost they loved ones stare at the ground and I just roll my eyes. The speech never changes a lot, they talk about our fantastic electronic devices and try to avoid that fact that we’re one of the first districts to rebel. Like people just don’t know that… And I’m sure some of them are waiting for a new hero, a rebellion that would stop it all. My parents fear those people more than anything. I’m still trying to create an opinion, but I’m very inclined for a new war with those Capitolines.

At least they serve a nice meal and, as most of people live in poverty, they can fill their stomachs. I’m lucky my parents run one of the factories, I don’t see them living with just one meal a day. That would be absurd!  

[ariellabrighton5-blog]

Dark Beauty || Side Task 2

My uncle called me from my room and told me to get dressed and try to look nice. I knew not to question it when he told me to do something so I put on my best clothes and walked out of the house to meet him. When I saw the massive crowd near the stage in the center of the district, I remembered exactly what today was. She was here.

I had watched the games this year, like every year. My uncle didn't want to draw more attention to us by not watching the games and by not participating in district-wide festivities. For this Victory Tour, like any other, it was required for the whole district to watch as the winner gave their speech. Ruby something, I knew that her first name was Ruby. She had killed the boy from my district, he was a young one, only 13 when he was sent into the arena. His family was in the back of the crowd, the mother sobbing incoherently.

Her speech was nothing special, obviously scripted words about how she won and her emotion-less apologies for the lost lives from our district. We all knew that she wasn't sorry, she wasn't sorry now and she wasn't sorry when she watched the life drain out of the kids she killed when her whip wrapped around their necks.

Halfway through, I looked at the stage and realized that the peacekeeper who had killed my parents was standing next to her, watching for violence. I couldn't control my breathing and I knew that a flashback was coming. Blare grabbed my arm and pulled me to the edge of the crowd, crouching in front of me and commanding me to breathe and to think through it. This usually happened when we went to a district meeting because of the horrors that stage held for me. I was so young. The colors began to blur to greys and blacks and I saw the people around me fading away.

Blare's voice brought me back and by then, I had almost completely missed Ruby's speech. It wasn't something I was disappointed about, all victory speeches were the same. With that, I walked home with Blare and sat in my room, fighting off the flashback until I collapsed on my bed and fell asleep. When the sun went down, Blare took me to go train, and my mind wandered far from that one day.

[safe-haven-d6]

Choking Hazard | One Shot | Side Task 2

I hate her.

I hate her so damn much.

Having to watch her choke the life out of other tributes disgusted me. Who the hell does that. Why would she be praised for such a simple action. My mother hung herself and she never got praise. It's a weak way to go about killing people if you ask me.

After watching all the games leading up to this one, it wasn't the best. It was good just not the best. I just expected more out of a career. Unfortunately for me today was the day that she visited District 6. It also happened to be the day that I was rushing to finish a clay model of my newest assignment. Designing vehicles for safe peacekeeper transport. It was relaxing but not as relaxing when I have a deadline. Also being forced to go to this event has not put me in good spirits. My boss got direct orders from the Capitol to make all head workers go to this event to enforce good district morale. Well fuck that shit. I'm running on a deadline and I have to go check on my brother at the hospital. I'm not going to bother going home to see my father. He would just groan and wave me away like he's dismissing me.

I had my presentable outfit on. Presentable meaning I was wearing a tan and white dress. I was minutes away from finishing when my boss came in to rush me. Does he not realize that he cannot rush perfection. Clay models take time and precision. God bless him that I was just being a perfectionist. I told him it's been done for an hour already. I just had little details that were annoying me. I put my tools into my bag then wiped my hands on my dress. Wait...FUCK why did I do that. Oh freaking well.

I washed the remaining clay from my hands and ran out. Thankfully the hospital was a few blocks away. I preferred using my legs as transportation. Ironic isn't it?

Once I arrived at the hospital, I went straight to the morphling floor. A friend of mine named Pete is one of the caretakers. They try to wane them off of morphine but some are just too far gone that they don't even try. Petes shift was technically over but he waited there since he had to go see Ruby as well. I got on my tip toes and gave Pete a peck on the cheek. "Thanks for waiting. I'll be out in a sec."

Harlen was one of the morphlings who were too far gone. I spotted him in a corner looking out the window. He smiled when he saw me.

"Haven." he said with a smile.

"Hey dude, How are you holding up?"

"Eh."

That eh was one of our code words. It meant he wanted to get out of here. He liked it better at home but understood I had work.

"I wish I could take you with me bro, I'll be back for you soon okay."

He nodded. I went on my way.

Pete was waiting at the elevator. Let me not discuss the relationship with Pete.

We rushed out of the hospital and into the town square. It was already packed. I grabbed Pete's hand and dragged him with me to meet my boss.  I made my presence known then not so nicely asked if I could leave. He gave me his classic hell no gaze and made me listen to Ruby.

She went on and on about her experience in the arena. The broadcasters ate it up like it was candy. After that very irritating speech, my boss told me I was to introduce myself to Ruby. Hell fucking no. But then he threatened to fire me and I was all smiles. However once I came face to face with Ruby I failed to hide my look of disgust.

"Haven Finch. Lead drafter from well here."

"Victor Ruby from One. What's the face for?"

"Eh I don't really like you. Nothing personal."

She then had the nerve to step closer to me. She was overly perfumed and made over. The smell made me want to throw up.

"You know I could kill you right?"

"You know I have sharp and pointy art tools in my bag that would mess up that face of yours. Don't even go there Ruby. Your title means very little in my book."

I looked to my boss. "I introduced myself. Can I go now?"

"Yeah it would be better if you did. We will talk about this tomorrow."

"Sure we will." I looked to Ruby and winked. "Pleasure meeting you."

I found Pete in the crowd. He was about to ask what's wrong. He never got the chance to before I got on my toes and kissed him full on the mouth. I made my message clear. This time he was the one who was leading me. Straight to his place we went.

[lysander-vaughn-blog]

Everybody, They Loved a Winner [So Nobody Loved Me]

Word Count: 1,006

Triggers/Warnings: None

The day was gray and strangely overcast, and Lysander hitched his jacket up to his shoulders and walked sullenly to the Justice Building, flicking his eyes up occasionally to the gray sky that threatened to rain at any minute. “Quit walking so fast,” Gavin complained from behind the group, and Lysander turned around and glared at him.

“You better hurry up yourself. I don’t even know why you want to go anyways,” he hissed and turned back around, plunging his hands deep into his coat pocket and scowling. “They wouldn’t care if we ditched it, they’re not gonna keep track of who shows up.” He rolled his eyes and continued walking, his leather boots splashing through a few shallow, dirty puddles from the rain that had occurred mere hours ago.

“It’s interesting, dimwit,” Gavin quipped and began to jog lightly, catching up with him and tapping him quickly on the shoulder. “What’s wrong with you today?” He asked as Lysander turned around with a less-than-joyful expression on his face.

“Just because I don’t want to spend my morning staring at some preppy District One whore who decided to talk for too long doesn’t mean I’m in a bad mood,” Lysander said and brushed Gavin’s hand off of his shoulder. Did he feel a drop of rain on his worn coat sleeve, or was it just him?

“Piss off, Gavin,” Lark called out from behind both of them, and Lysander had to stifle a smile. “You’re the one who’s making us go to this, so don’t blame Lysander for being annoyed. He’s not the only one.” Gavin rolled his eyes and began to trudge forward through the mud, small splashes of the disgusting stuff splashing on Lysander’s jacket.

“God, would you stop splashing?” Lysander asked pointedly. “This is my father’s, he’s going to kill me if he notices there’s dirt on it.” Brushing off some of the dirt, he flicked a tiny stone at Gavin, who dodged it expertly and continued walking.

“If he’s sober enough to notice,” Lennox said in a low voice from beside Lark, chuckling darkly and staring at Lysander as if to challenge him.

“You know I can hear you, right?” Lysander rolled his eyes. “And wasn’t it your father who thought your kitchen table was a horse the other day?” He asked dryly, speaking to Lennox but not looking at him. Lennox paused for a moment, then shoved Lysander towards the edge of the road, who caught himself and straightened his jacket. “Piss off,” Lennox growled, and Lysander pushed him off and rolled his eyes, knowing he wasn’t serious.

He could hear vague giggling from the back and immediately guessed [correctly] that it was Lark, who was silenced with a harsh look from her brother, Lennox, who put his head down and continued walking the familiar path towards the Justice Building.

Lysander’s shoes occasionally scuffed against a stray stone or two, and he kicked them along the road for a while, reveling in the harsh sound of gravel and his feet hit the ground.

“When does it start?” Erza asked, coughing in the middle of his question and then quickly regaining his composure, his boyish blue eyes shining with a strange sort of happiness that was rare in their lives.

“Soon,” Lennox answered, irritated, and the group soon fell into silence until they reached the Justice Building.

The Victor of the last Games was a familiar face, a face that had haunted every child from Nine’s dreams from the moment she gruesomely slaughtered her first tribute in the arena. Lysander shuddered vaguely as he remembered her first (or was it her second?—they were so hard to keep track of) victim, and his stomach turned even more unpleasantly as he remembered what she had done to win.

Her speech consisted of nothing special, simple pomp and circumstance. She spoke of pride to her country, to her district, and how honored she was at having been chosen to compete in the Games. She glorified the arena, saying how it had been a wonderful experience and something worth doing. Only if you get out alive, Lysander thought ferociously as if that would make a difference. Of course she would get out alive: she was a perfect little District One jewel, probably trained since the age of seven.

“You think she’d still say the same if she had been reaped?” Lysander asked, his voice nothing but a low growl in Lark’s ear.

“She’d be sobbing if she’d been reaped,” Lark spat out and stared up at the stage with a hateful expression as if that could make the Victor feel pain.

He didn’t remember much about the Games. He had only caught vague snippets of it the few days he went to school, or at Lennox’s house when his parents weren’t home. But he had seen enough to know of this woman, this, this girl’s soul, if she even had one. That must be the explanation, Lysander reasoned. No other human could watch with a child’s curiosity at the sound of a choking equal. No human could hum and walk away merrily from a dead body, especially if the human in question had killed them.

He had most certainly seen enough to despise her.

“District Nine,” the announcer read, and Lysander could hear the distaste in his voice. District Nine. District Nine was nothing, merely an extension of District Eleven. They weren’t good for anything, only the food that they didn’t even get to eat. The announcer cleared his throat and tried again. “District Nine, I present to you, the Fourteenth Annual Hunger Games’ Victor!” The words hung in the air as if expecting applause.

Slowly and unsurely, the citizens began to clap.                                                                            

“Can you go to hell for hating someone?” Lysander muttered under his breath, his voice choking up briefly but then clearing.

“I really hope not,” Lark responded, equally as quiet, and the two shared a pointed look before turning back to the Victor, malice blazing in her eyes. “I really, really do.”