The instructions were very clear. There was a certain time and a certain place one had to be or else they were going to be left behind. That wasn’t a flexible time, or a flexible place. But as the time marches further, things become more and more tense.
Nelly is one of the first to arrive at the air craft, which is cold and rather quiet. Only stirring begins rather rather quickly outside of the walls she is air craft. Twig is not much longer behind her, arriving alone but the two give knowing yet nervous smiles to each other as they sit in silence. Swann is the next to arrive, sitting next to Nelly, their hands joined together in comfort.
The screen becomes more clear with what is going to happen inside the Quell. The Tributes are making their way towards the tree which they have wrapped with the wire provided by Silver. Unfortunately, they are not to be found by Peacekeepers, who have begun their patrol for high-suspect individuals, Silver being at the top of their list. This is also when Game Makers begin their combat against those in the Quell.
There’s not much time to argue, Robyn and Silver arrive hand-in-hand, long before the Peackeepers could find them, but their shift has focused, expanding their suspects to DeeZee and Ivory, among many others. Aldera attempts to get Riggs to leave with her, but their aim is to stay behind and watch to make sure Sage is alright. They will provide aid until the last moment. Pista’s sense of urgency pulls her away and the two make their way to the aircraft, unable to locate DeeZee, as much as they’d like to leave with him.
DeeZee and Ivory have their hands full, keeping Peacekeeprs occupied by leaving trails of their whereabouts around. It isn’t until they hear the footsteps of some rapidly approaching that Ivory tells DeeZee to leave, that she’ll happily go down with the rest of this place if it means things will be better. Unfortunately, DeeZee never really listened to instruction much, and if there were any place he’d rather be, it’s making sure Ivory isn’t subject to the Peacekeeps all on her own.
Griffin and Fava find each other shortly after his conversation with Nelly, and Fava immediately brings him up to speed about what happened with Snow. This gives Griffin even more urgency to tell her about making it to the safe place, and for once, Fava actually looks like she's about to do it, the fear of her encounter with Snow getting to her. When Griffin says he'll be hunting for Hudson in the meantime, however, Fava decides to stick with him and find them as well. With little time to argue, the two begin their search together.
It’s Dawn who finds themselves in hot water, getting cornered by a Peacekeeper who begins to question him with hostility. It seems however he answers the question, it’s wrong, and the Peacekeeper doesn’t have much flexibility in their perception of things. Seems they have their mind made up. And just when he’s certain this is his end, Riggs approaches, using the ever-off-kilter personality to distract the Peacekeeper’s focus from Dawn, and put it onto themselves. Whatever words they choose, it’s enough to make the Peacekeeper suspicious, and begins to lead Riggs away for further questioning. As they’re being sent off, they give a crooked smile to Dawn and nod. Not long after that, Dawn stays within close proximity to Slate in the Game room, who is still shaking hands with many other viewers, solidifying money.
Aven finds Heron, who is frantically tending to something which is uncertain. While everyone seems good at pretending that nothing is going on, there’s an undercurrent that feels tense, and violent. Heron says something about a task requests by Plutarch, Aven says it doesn’t matter and it’s time to go. But Heron, who is not used to being in the public so much, and not used to tip-tooeing around a rebellion so much, finds herself causing too much of a stir going back and forth with Aven, who is clearly only trying to help. A fact that seems to cause the attention of a Peacekeeper, who being questioning the interaction between the two women. Before Heron can jump in, Aven confesses to trying to finesse money out of Heron for those left in the Quell. A confession that made the Peacekeeper plenty suspicious, given from whom it came from. Heron, now flushed with panic, watched as Aven is lead off for further questioning. After this, she abandons her task and arrives at the air craft.
After both parties are able to clear themselves of their responsibilities, Dawn and Slate are able to escape onto the aircraft.
Griffin and Fava, still on the hunt for Hudson, finally locates them and frantically begins to usher them away from the Game room and off in the direction of where the air crafts are. Unfortunately, it is at this time that Peacekeeps begin to close in on them. They’re not concerned about Griffin, but they’re making moves to take Fava and Hudson away from his leading hand. He begin to argue with them, forgoing the act of drunk man in order to help Fava and Hudson. There’s a struggle, Fava beginning to shout for hands to be removed from her person, and Hudson who just looked concerned. It’s a bold move, but Griffin makes the urgent choice to reach for one of the batons at the hip of the Peacekeeper.
While his hand wraps around it, he finds that he’s not fast enough, and another Peacekeeper strikes him down across the face with his baton, a move that sends him to the ground, almost immediately filling his sight with the color red. Fava begins to wail in a fit of rage, tearing from grasps but it’s another figure who comes out next, helping bring Griffin to his feet.
Plutarch aims to deescalate the situation, calming the Peacekeepers over the situation and tell them to leave the children alone. Unfortunately, it’s not one that goes over well once the Peacekeepers share they’ve been meant to bring Plutarch in for questioning. In a rush, Plutarch is grasped, given enough time to knock aside the Peacekeeper holding Fava. He is grasped instead, as is Hudson, and the man yells for the other two to run. In an instant lacking thought but only drive, Griffin takes Fava by the hand and drags her away, darting and dashing away from the Peacekeepers. They’re able to distract them, running through different hallways until they’re able to get back to the track of the air craft. They’re the last to arrive. Griffin, pouring blood and Fava screaming in protest, both are sedated, and only minutes later, the air craft has left the Capitol.
When they look around, they take note that Aven, DeeZee, Hudson, Riggs, Emory, Astraea, Virgo, Ivory, Digit, Pearl, Auburn,, and Plutarch, are not around them. They’re back there. There’s a moment of silence and understanding that their sacrifice or their misfortune will not be in vain.
Heron, Bandi, Coco, Emerald, however, sit beside the rest of them, hands clasped tightly around someone that brings them comfort. It’s the end now. Or just the beginning of it.
Just a few hours later, when the rescue mission is performed, there are eager eyes waiting. No one has seen what has happened since they left, some seeing more than others, but no one knows for certain who will be coming up from that lift. As they take turns seeing, they can see the medical beds filled with a handful of bloodied bodies.
Those bodies are Zero, Abe, Harbor, Holly, Wren, and Tilsee.
There is no rest, is there? It seems to be one thing after another, you think, as you begin your next day. The tea party has come and gone and you’re fearful of what things come ahead, but you go along no less.
Perri Honimoore is gone, that’s something you come to hear from whispers, and it seems wherever you turn, there’s a Peacekeeper at your heel. The only place you truly have solace is in your own private you, or a secret spot here or there. But the dinner table now has company, you find. All you can think is her poor child, now stranded and having to go in the Quell, without the comfort of her ow mother to pull her through.
You’re not sure what she could have done to get there, but you’re hoping it was worth it. Whatever it was that brought her demise, you hope it would be for the best.
But there’s no time to dwell, because you’re reminded that today is a busy day. The Quell is in two days. The clock is ticking. Today is your interview, tomorrow is the tributes’. You have to find something good to wear or no one will take you, or your tributes seriously, and you have to prepare for what sorts of curveballs will be thrown at you.
[FOR CHARACTERS ASSOSIATED WITH PLUTARCH]
As you’re trying to get ready, to prepare yourself for being on national tv, there’s a letter that sits beside your bathroom sink. How did this get here? There’s no time for questions, but you make sure the door is locked before opening it to read the contents.
Things are set in place, but it’s not without great loss. We can’t fly any closer to the sun or we’ll all fall. With our fallen friends, the threat is too high and we must keep our heads down. We can only guarantee our safety if we play by their game long enough to think they’re safe. Be ready to take action on a moment’s notice, and make sure the same goes for those you want to be safe.
Be careful who you talk to, & where.
OOC:
WHEW IT’S COMING UP FAST! I did tweak the timeline a little bit because it’s crunch time and we gotta start the Quell soon. Chapter 6 will cover this two-day period, and then chapter 7 will be the Quell, which will be the final chapter for Embers.
If you’re not sure if your character received a note, just ask and I’ll let you know!
For the interview of your characters, there are two options you have which I will list out below, and it’s up to you guys what we’ll do (which there’s an even number of you now so I hope it wont be a tie yikes)
OPTION A: ASK MEMES. In this option, we will conduct the interview like an ‘honesty hour’. Everyone can send each other questions and it will be answered as if they’re coming from Caesar on National TV. The pro to this is it gets us all involved, the con is that we all have to carry our weight to come up with hard-hitting questions.
OPTION B: SELF PARA. This will be something you will collaborate with me on, one-on-one, to brainstorm some absolute fuckery that your character will go through. Pro, it’s a lot easier and more reliable for some juicy shit to go down. Con, you do have a write a whole ass self para and it doesn’t have as much involvement.
Please reply to this post with either A or B, which will also count as me knowing you read this post. These are totally optional but ya kno, it’s fun, and it’s a good way for development.
For the tribute’s interview, I’ll probably write up something myself which will be like a plot update.
Reminder that it’s important what your characters do and say and where they’re doing it. More important now than ever to state where your location is in your starter, and to make clear note if that location changes at any point in the thread.
I’m probably forgetting stuff so please ask if there’s anything you’re confused about.
THE FACTS
Start date: Right now. You have 24 hours to post final hcs for previous threads
“Welcome everyone to the 75th Annual Hunger Games!” Ceasar addresses his crowd, friendly and excited as always. The crowd cheers, as if last night’s interview of tenseness had not even occurred. As if everything had been cleared away. But there’s not time. Caesar recites his speech over this harrowing year, and begins off with introducing District One’s tributes onto the stage.
District One
Gold is asked about his dead uncle Tiberius, who was murdered as a means to protect the Capitol. Says some weird shit about following in his footsteps. Looks kind of sweaty and uneasy.
Saffron says nothing important other than laughing with Ceasar about her dress and being a beautiful woman blah blah blah
District Two
Osa talks about her sister. She’s tense and looks a little uncomfortable but she’s too beautiful for Caesar to notice. He ever dares to call her more beautiful which makes her look panicked before praising her sister , saying she’d just like to do the same as her.
Terra doesn’t have much to say, but Caesar brings up her connection to Slate. She says she’s watched him grow into a fine man. Caesar asks if she means that now, knowing he seems to have drifted paths. She reiterates that she is proud of him, even if she worries for him. She is stoic, and her hands still tremble the way they did at the reaping.
District Three
Zero looks like a walking computer, lights like buttons flickering as he breaks down complex theories to Caesar about relativity. Caesar cuts him off to ask if working under Silver was worth it if he might not be able to carry out his research for science. Zero says he never regrets a moment of his life devoted to working under Silver.
Citron has a hard time sitting in their designated chair. There’s long silence as they stair out into the audience. Caesar looks physically uncomfortable until he asks what it’s like to be part of a Game after watching for so long. Cintron says they find it ironic to be in a Game following the previous win. Caesar inquires further, and Cintron confesses they knew Hudson’s parents when they lived in Three. That they ‘ran in the same circles’ until one day they didn’t. They say at least this time they’re happy to die because of an Overgrove.
District Four
Marina exudes bubbly energy, laughing alone with Caesar and playing up the cutsie energy that hadn’t exactly been seen in moments passing on the way to training. She plays up her grief of her broken relationship, saying if she wins, she’d happily take her District Four lover back, and that they can have the most beautiful wedding.
Abe enters the stage and sits straight, while looking uncomfortable in the position. Caesar asks how a ‘big man like him’ has been doing in training. Abe confesses that he spent most of his life training, he was spending a lot of time making friends. The crowd awes, but Caesar laughs, telling him that now is not the time for friends. Abe confesses that he hadn't had more opportunity for friends growing up, becoming a Career in order to feed his brother, now is the perfect opportunity to make up for lost time. The crowd awes, and Caesar says his brother must be proud.
District Five
Nilla confesses she’s not entirely sure why she’s here. A fact that both her and her district-mate have talked about. She says, ‘what is love really? and how does the Capitol know what love is meant to look like if neither her nor Beck have been in the lives of their families for years?’
Beck doesn’t say much else, He follows his own path of silence. What Caesar points out is a contrast tot he songbird that is his sister. He just laughs. The only thing he says is ‘you took what was our’s and walks with his head high from the stage.
District Six
Cabil is morose, looking at his hands. Caesar asks about his girlfriend, his very own mentor Harquin, but Cabil says that he doesn’t want to exploit his love. What they have is pure and special and it’s not meant to be shared with the world. The crowd softens and Caesar relents, asking if he’s had any changes in perspective since training, Cabil says that he thinks love is the only thing keeping people together. That love is expansive. He looks to the camera and says ‘love will keep you fighting’ to which the audience screams with affection, but it’s hard for him to hide the anguish in his face as he walks off.
Tilsee holds herself with strength. She is composed and she is put-together. Caesar compliments her on her composure and Tilsee says she’s used to adversity. Caesar asks what her plan is for the Quell and she says her goal is to do what she’s always done, keep children alive. He asks if she’s been working with her son on this grand plan and she folds her hands together in her lap to say, “My son is brilliant. He’s doing his best to make sure this Quell will not be forgotten.”
District Seven
A peacekeeper helps Nettle to find her seat, wearing a beautiful shimmering gown. Caesar asks how she plans to make do in the Quell. She shrugs and confesses that while her body might not be able to carry her to the end, she will do her best to make do. She looks to the camera and explains that she suffered a tragic accident in her youth, making her unable to stand or walk for long periods of time. Sobs can be heard from the crowd. She’s vying for pity, though there’s not a tear in her eyes. The audience begins to beg for her safety but she’s ushered off before they can continue.
Harbor doesn’t soothe them much more. The crowd is silent as he sits, his hands on the table. There’s no one to interpret his words. Caesar asks what it’s like to be back in the Capitol, Harbor signs ‘Beautiful as always’ but the audience has no idea. Caesar asks if Harbor regrets what he’d done to wind up where he was, Harbor signs, ‘I only regret leaving behind the people I love. And not succeeding.’ Caesar watching his hands carefully before asking if Harbor is ready to die in the Quell as punishment for protesting against the Capitol. All Harbor does is stand, body growing stronger from the last two weeks eating properly again, training every day, and he walks closer to the stage, some begin to lean backwards, as if he repulsed them, others lean forward, captivated in their old muse. He extends an arm, the other placing on his stomach as he takes a grand bow, then turns, and walks off the stage, ending his interview minutes early.
District Eight
Darby speaks of her time as a midwife, helping to deliver hundreds of babies back home in Eight. Almost every tribute that had been picked in the time of her service, was a child that she had delivered. She was a caretaker to many of them after the fact, too. She tells Caesar she’s a caretaker to many of the tributes here. Caesar points out that might not be wise considering there’s only one winner. Darby raises an eyebrow to ask, “Will any of us be winners at the end of this?” Caesar laughs and looks to the audience to say that it doesn’t concern him, he’s not in this fight. She leans in closer and asks, “Are you sure about that?”
Caesar points out that both Darby and Chrysanthe are caretakers back home in Eight. He asks if there’s any correlation to that are the culture back home. Chrysanthe replies that no, there is absolutely no correlation. Everyone is in great pain in his district and Darby and themself do what any rational person would do by supporting them. There are people just like the two of them in all districts. Without letting Caesar continue, Chrysanthe looks to the television screen and says, “I’m hoping by being in this Quell, I can send a message to all the caretakers like myself that we won't have to keep doing this forever.” Caesar laughs, commenting how endearing it is to see someone for worker’s rights.
District Nine
Holly sits in a way that shows off her oiled legs. Caesar brings up her dramatic appearance during the reaping and Holly, ever the cool and flirtatious, tells Caesar she’s not a girl who gets wrapped up in love. That it’s complete bullshit she has to be here fighting because someone else chose to love her. He laughs, calling her a harlequin, but she gives him a flick of her hair and a laugh in return. How does she plan to win the games? She says she doesn’t. Caesar raises his eyebrows, asking her to elaborate. She says she’s met people far more deserving of survival and her plan is to make sure they see it to the end. He asks if she had to pick one person to win, who would it be, and in true theatric fashion, Holly grins, stairs at the camera, and says, “A girl never reveals her secrets.”
Compared to everyone else, Sage looks smaller in the chair, and she looks tired. But Caesar never brings up the elephant in the room. He asks her how she’s doing, she says she’s fine, he asks her what training’s been like, she stairs at her feet and says it’s been good learning many different skills. He asks boring, basic questions, and her energy begins to deplete. It’s an interview to forget. It’s an interview of a girl the Capitol hopes to punish.
District Ten
Bire and Ginger, the siblings-in-law who both don’t give any remarkability. Caesar asks Bire about his husband and the man gives painfully drab answers. When asks about the Quell, Bire states he plans to just keep his head above water. Ginger isn’t much better. She talks about being thankful to come to the Capitol in her lifetime and experience things. She tries her best to make nice with Caesar, which goes well considering many of the other interviews. She says she just wants to go home to see her garden again.
District Eleven
Parsley finds herself tearing up when talking about the legend of her father, one of the very first winners of the Hunger Games. The audience is captivated in her story, but she shares that ultimately, her father’s grief killed him twenty five years ago, sending the audience to dab tears off their face. She looks to all of them and says that she is the last standing figure of his legacy. It’s her own way to plead, don’t do this. Don’t tarnish legacy.
Birch also talks history. Talks about what a positive influence Riggs has been on his life. Caesar laughs directly in his face, finding it hard to believe that Riggs would be a stable figure for anyone. It causes Birch’s jaw to set and he doubles down, saying Riggs is far funnier than Caesar is. It makes the audience burst into laughter, as well as the interviewer, claiming that Birch is a funnier man than his uncle will ever be. Suddenly the interview is over and Birch hadn’t even really gotten a chance to talk about the Quell.
District Twelve
Gage is the first on the stage. His fists are clenched and he’s got bags under his eyes but Caesar comments how handsome he looks. He doesn’t give much response other than a nod of acknowledgement. Caesar wastes no time, he bellows out loud that his wife had given birth since the time of his reaping. The color is his face drains and he’s suddenly glued to the topic at hand. He asks if there’s a photo. Caesar shakes his head and declares only that it’s boy and he has been named Sprig. The man’s face grows red and it’s evident that he’s trying to hold back tears, but one leaks through anyways. Caesar then asks what he’s going to do to make sure he gets home to his new family. A question that is returned with a fired look when he says, “Anything.”
The crowd is met with a roar when Wren steps onto the stage. She is small as ever, wearing a dress that looks to consume her in her smallness. Harbor had gone before, met with no aid in his signing that the crowd is curious if they are to do the same with her. But of course, she wouldn’t be able to hear the words Caesar would say, so they bring someone, sitting beside her, who effortlessly relays his words to her, and echoes her words out to the crowd. Is she excited? She explains that she’s nervous, and wants to go home. The crowd coos. The forget this is a teenage and not some swaddling child but perhaps she was told to use that to her advantage. Caesar tells her if she’s nervous about her lack of hearing. She signs that she has many ears working with her, and she is not along. He says that he’s not surprised, that she’s quite popular. He inquires, how could she kill any of her friends? She answers that she doesn’t plan to hurt anyone in that Quell. The crowd makes sounds of shock, and she continues that she has never planned to hurt another living thing and she doesn’t plan to start now. Suddenly, she looks much older. Suddenly, she no longer appears young and frail. She glances towards the crowd, signing one last time. “I won't let you take from me.” But the interpreter doesn’t speak the words. Caesar gives her a kind smile and she returns, and she walks tall, and firm, back to her family behind the curtain.
There was an announcement to be made. The Peacemakers around made sure to hurdle that labs. Potentially to their slaughter but you can never be so sure. All that’s certain is Manoff stands beside Claudius, for Caesar was much too busy to attend an event such as this.
Claudius, a man of short stature compared to the bulky Manoff, begins to speak first as all attendees find the seats at their tables.
“Everyone, it is such a pleasure to see such lively faces surrounding me at this moment. You are truly a sight to behold.” His hands clasp together. he’s really hamming it up, there’s no doubt about that. “Now, I know that times are tense, my friends. I know that these have been trying, and we thank you for all the support you continue to give the Capitol. Given the recent circumstances of events, we are so happy to announce that we have a surprise for you. And who better to give you this surprise than our newest presenter and personality, Manoff Valey!”
The crowd claps as Manoff thanks Claudius, stepping forward to stake his claim. “Now, we know that there’s been some… falloff, in regards to our stylists. We thought it would simply be unfair to let districts fall short in the most important aspect coming up. We know that the interviews are in just two days, so I found two of my brightest peers to help out in that fact.” His smile is wry. You’re pretty sure the man has never made a genuine smile in his life. But as he extends his hand, he grins wide, as if beckoning a wild animal, or two, into the pit of lambs.
“May I introduce you to a pair I think you will be rather familiar with. Please welcome Crane and Heron Crestfall.”
Everyone around you claps. Some are even so excited, you imagine them to be frothing at the mouth. Some stand. You end up having to do the same just so you can see who is coming to join Manoff where he stands.
Two tall women, with platinum blonde hair, arise from their seats, holding hands, as they join beside Manoff. They only break their connection so they can join him at both sides, wrapping an arm around him. They don’t stop smiling. They make it look so easy, so beautiful. They have their own elegance to them, in a way you recognize doesn’t come easily to most in the Capitol. They seem the representation of what everyone is trying desperately to recreate.
“These two have been such amazing upcoming designers, I know you all love following their journey. It’s not everyday you see an amazing set of twins taking on fashion. And while I would have loved to keep them together so they could use their unmatched brains, we need as much help as possible. Heron will be helping with with District Five’s fashion, and Crane will be working with District Twelve.”
Another round of clapping and unhinged cheers as people begin to unravel with excitement over the glowing twins, effortlessly beautiful and long, waving, blowing kisses, and extending silent gratitude.
You can’t ignore the sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach as the women look across the crowd, as if seizing up their feast.
OOC ----
Oh boy! We’ve got some fresh faces around.
Just as a reminder, you’ve got a week to finish up tea party threads and to get ready for the Chapter 6 drop happening next Monday. I’m posting this early to give you guys some time to potentially hc reactions with others or write up a quick reaction of characters themselves. If you want to plot some bg for these two, just hit me up and we can come up with something! They are now listed in our doc so you can see more deets about them there.
And wanted to give a heads up as well that it is very important to think carefully about where threads are, and the choices being made. I’m going to do my best to keep up with replies and be reading everything, but you never know who might be lurking, what might be bugged, and what consequences your actions might have....
The morning after the wedding is a quiet one. It starts like any other. No one mentions what had happened at the end of the reception, and things might be a bit tense but that’s not stopping anyone from trying to live their lives. Even you know it’s best to keep your head low for the day and keep with what you’re doing.
And training goes on, the tributes gather and alliances are hard at work but it’s hard to tell what any of them do behind those closed doors. Meals are had and it’s like thinks are getting back to normal.
Then it’s the evening and Caesar gets on television. He’s got an announcement to make.
“Stay tuned this week, we’re doing something very special for you Panem residents. Watch as we spend the next few days interviewing your favorite mentors, stylists, and escorts! This Quarter Quell has been unlike any other, and we know you’re chomping at the bit to see what your favorite icons are up to. I certainly know I am. And it all leads up to our interviews with this year’s tributes!” He gives a bellowing laugh and the camera pans out from him, giving the date and time details.
You’re now being forced to go back on television, to present yourself. Right up until you have to send out your tributes to the masses. It’ll be a nightmare.
So you wait for your turn. But as the days go by, you notice that you haven’t seen some people around. Cinna has been missing, as have Silver and Slate. No one has see any of them since the night of the wedding. Most people are too nervous to say anything too loud, so their worried are hushed under whispers or kept behind closed doors. However you feel about it, it’s clear that them not being here is sending a clear message to the rest of you.
No one is safe anymore. No one, no matter where they come from, can be kept from the Capitol’s watchful eye.
But then you wonder... did any of them have anything to do with what happened at the wedding?
OOC ----
Uh oh... some people are in trouble. Whatever will you do!
More information about the interview will come out this weekend (with a poll for when to host it). It will serve as an honesty-day type situation. The only thing is, the answers your characters give will be broadcasted to the entirety of Panem, and the rest of their peers! Meaning secrets can be spilled, or even... sneaky information can be relayed to knowing ears muahah.
I will do a group-wide specific honesty hour question list (I will likely take questions from the first one) if you have suggestions for things you’d like asked, please send them here! While there will be the list of question, specific questions will also be encouraged, to get deep into the nitty-gritty! I’ll be trying to come up with some myself but you can jump into the madness yourself!
Now onto the good stuff.
As I mentioned in a previous statement, the way Embers is structure now will be a little different. There are really only going to 6 chapters total for the game, but chapters will be much longer. Chapter 5 will last around 6 weeks, if not more depending on how thing progress.
A lot will happen within Chapter 5. It’s crucial you are talking to everyone behind the scenes to plot and hc with one another. I can almost guarantee you that no thread will naturally reach a conclusion unless you intend to have an extremely short one. I intend to get a lot of characters wrapped up in some messes in this chapter and you will likely want your threads to stay up to date with developments.
I just ask that you cap your threads off with your hc plan so everyone can see how the thread progressed.
I intend to keep the tribute interview night to be about mid-chapter. It wont be it’s own event but it’ll be an excellent opportunity since it’s everyone in one space together. Plus... who knows what’ll happen.
NPC threads will also function a bit differently now. Basically, I am no longer offering up random NPC threads with folks. NPCs from here on out play a specific and direct purpose to the plot and it’s very likely I will reach you directly to go ‘hey do you want an npc thread with X’ hopefully you say yes and we go from there. There might be a situation where I post a call for a starter with a specific NPC, but I am no longer just writing any NPC. Don’t worry, a lot of your faves will still make it to the dash.
As always, you know what to do with questions. If there’s anything I forget, it’ll go in the Sunday notes.
It’s the morning. Technically day four on this train. The third day since the rebels announced taking over. You sit at the breakfast table. It’s hard to eat but considering your stomach has been trembling to get something to digest, you manage to keep down a roll and some eggs.
It’s not late into the morning when the train suddenly lurches forward. An unexpected move to say the least, and those you share the room with trip, stumble, shake, shriek from the sudden move. You watch through the window and the train is in fact going forward, not backward.
But there’s been no notice, what could it be?
It takes all of twenty minutes of movement before the intercom flickers on and a voice echoes all around you. A familiar voice. The dripping baritone of President Snow.
“Dear Capitol citizens, victors, and tributes. You will be happy to be informed that the rebels have been eradicated. Their attempt to disrupt this multi-generational tradition goes unshaken. But it is with my deepest sorrow to report that our very own Tiberius Farlock has perished. A valiant warrior in life and in death, we are presumed to believe that he died defending the train against rebels, and they took his life. He will not be forgotten, and we will seek retribution for our loss.” There’s a pause, and a semblance of a cough is caught from the other end before the com flicks off just for a minute, before clicking back on. “In a matter of just a couple hours, you will arrive in the capitol, and the chariot ceremony will take place. Training will begin in the morning. And remember, citizens.” It feels like his voice drips, as if he’s leaning closer into his device, the words even crackling from being so near. “Panem today. Panem tomorrow. Panem forever.”
And the com clicks off.
Next thing you know, you’re pulling into the Capitol. And it’s time to get ready.
[IF YOU WRITE A CAPITOL ESCORT OR STYLIST, CLICK HERE.]
(( If you don’t, and you like secrets, don’t read it. If you don’t care, feel free to. ))
OOC ----
Everyone is back in one spot right now! You have all been unleashed! Now to get into the absolutely info dump that this ooc will be.
Just to kind of lay out time-frame wise. It’s up to you what you want to do with the Chariot ceremony. I really had zero ideas of how to turn that into something. Otherwise, you can get into the writing of the following morning (the first Full Day) of being in the Capitol. Otherwise, from that, it will just be train days.
Which, I will be doing some tweaking from canon. I believe in the books training is just a single week. I’m turning it into two so we have more time to write in this timeframe before the Quell begins. At this current moment, just work with the first week as your timeframe. I’m not sure if I’ll do another drop for it, but as I eluded to before, a ton of things will drop in the midst of this chapter so safer just to keep everything in the earlier part of the timeframe.
As I said, interact with whoever you want, post opens, too, if you’d like. I mentioned in Sunday’s note that I’m going to try to “randomly” pair characters together who are outside of typical circles in different situations to help encourage other lesser found connections to be involved.
Don’t ever hesitate to want to interact with an npc. I really enjoyed being able to write them and have threads with them. But keep in mind that npcs have stories and their own agendas as well. It might benefit you to interact or try to get to know an npc outside of the ones you’re connected to. If you ever want an npc thread to to plot with an npc, let me know.
Training will begin and of course, no one will be inside that training room other than the tributes. But ally-ship is a very important element to the Games. If you want tributes to try and form ally-ships, plot it out with members and then come to me and let me know. Of course, ultimately it is the tribute’s choice on who to be allies with but you can certain have a thread or we can hc that your character is trying to have that influence.
As a result of the quick time event we had on discord last week, Swann has not been seen since the early morning of the day the train was taken back by the Capitol. She had been gone for the entire duration of that day, missing the chariot ceremony. She was also gone for the first full day of being in the Capitol. She will come back after that. She is gone for approximately 48 hours. I know the chat brought up a rescue mission but there wouldn’t be enough time in the hustle and bustle to be able to try and save her. Del will be releasing a self para sometime this weekend which will share where Swann has been in this time.
From the poll, it seems like you guys would like another form for character directions. I’ll get that up this weekend. So definetly think about things you’d like to see for your muses, things you’d like not to. I will also be added a new question regarding secrets, so think of if you character has any secrets that they know, or that they don’t know that you’d like to play around with.
I will mention again, please make sure your submit is OPEN. For reasons.
Since you woke up, the sounds of the train have kept a steady beat of your wary heart.
The chatter is light. No one is making small talk as they used to. Tributes are tense. Mentors are reeling. Even some of the escorts don’t have the gusto to rally their team.
Breakfast was hard to get down. Even harder to get down when you kept being reminded of what this was. But you stayed to yourself and that’s that.
Right at lunch, you feel the train lurching to a stop. But why? The train had picked everyone up, what was the point of all this? You even came out to the rest of your team to ask. No one knew why.
It was two hours with no answers, and you even began traveling to different cars where the other districts were staying. No one knew what was going on. And then... the intercom clicks on.
“Dear riders.” It was a covered voice. Protected under the veil of a voice altering device. It was untraceable. Unrecognizable. “This train has been seized by Panem rebels. We have taken this train, as well as it’s sister train, hostage until further notice. We demand the freeing of all tributes and mentors from this year’s Quarter Quell, which aims to use bodies as their tool to silence and control citizens of Panem. Your conductors have been silenced and if you want your precious Games to continue, you’re going to have to go through a great deal of trouble to get them back. You wont find us. And you wont figure out how to regain controls.”
Then, the intercom clicks off, and you’re met in silence. Nothing makes sense but what is for certain is, right now, you’re a hostage to the rebellion.
OOC -----
First off, everyone please give a huge thank you to Becky, who put ‘hijack a train’ in her response form. A brilliant idea that I couldn’t just pass up.
Bear with me here. You might have a bunch of questions and hopefully I’ll answer them. Or the big ones at least. But you’ll also have to be a bit flexible on some details and suspend your disbelief for the sake of this cool drop.
Firstly, remember when I said I wanted everyone to be able to interact with each other again? That was kind of a lie. You’ll be able to interact with half of everyone again. Apart from that, there is zero contact between the two trains which are held hostage (unless you get creative, but please run that by me first). Below I’ll list which districts are on each train. I have tried to carefully pick so that some folks are outside of their typical circles, while keeping things even. As always, I’m up for feedback if you’re not comfortable with the list provided.
Second, this is the day after the reaping. The train has picked everyone up. Let’s just not think too hard about the process of picking up other tributes I spent my eight hour work shift trying to figure that one out and couldn’t so shhhh just go with it please I beg. Each district had their own train car but the train has a multitude of cars with a number of Districts. Just... don’t think too deep into this stuff.
Post opens, plot with folks, go off in all sorts of ways with what to do here. Obviously, everyone is still processing the reaping, but now the rebels are here? to release the tributes? What?
The rebels have made note that they’re not actually here, but pulling the strings from the outside. You can’t interact with them but if there’s something you think your character might want to do here, just come to me! We can probably figure something out.
As stated before, please let me know if there are NPCs you want to write against. While I’m still deciding if I can even handle that, you are MORE THAN WELCOME to approach me to hc/rattle back and forth of your character interacting with an npc. Could be any npc you’d like. I’m trying to create backgrounds for the npcs and even give them some leel secrets. And who knows, some of them might want in on your cause and proven useful. But no matter what direction I go with writing them, you are always more than welcome to approach and come up with stuff behind the scenes to use.
This is going to be a longer event. The last one was super quick and so I want to give us some time with this one. I’m going to set an tentative three-and-a-half-week length for this task but I have no qualms with extending it if the end date approaches and we feel we could use more time here. I don’t want anyone to feel rushed or pressured so really ease into this one!
You know what to do with your Qs! I’m around pretty much all day.
TRAIN ONE:
District Two, District Four, District Six, District Eight, District Nine, District Twelve
TRAIN TWO:
District One, District Three, District Five, District Seven, District Ten, District Eleven.
No one feels ready or prepared for the Reaping that has come on the early summer day. For some, the sun shines bright and hard, beads of sweat running down temples, sweat causing shirts and dresses to stick to backs. For others, it’s raining hard and there’s no refuge, leaving everyone soaked and shivering as they await for the bitter fate of the two tributes that will be heading into the Quarter Quell.
The Escorts stand amongst the crowd, before them, a massive bowl stands, littered with papers of the names of the victor’s loved one. No questions have been answered. Will Capitolites be in the pool? Will victors be in there? What about loved ones crossing over districts?
The moment is tense but it goes forward without question.
ONE:
Saffron Sky
The name which is first drawn in One summons Saffron Sky to the stage. Thirty-nine, she’s beautiful, tall, fit. She’s wearing a long silk dress as she blows a kiss to her cousin, a victor from a time long before she was able to win. She holds her head high. There’s absolutely no telling what the expression on her face says. She is a complete wildcard. Maybe that’s what she wants.
Gold Farlock
Gold is built. Standing at 6′6, people have always wondered if the Farlock family bread, or maybe even genetically altered, a perfect soldier. He’s standing beside Tiberius, who looks prideful as she shakes his nephew’s hand and he ascends to the stage. He’s far past the age of being able to fight in the Games in a normal year. It can’t help but raise questions; coming from a family such as this, why hadn’t he fought back then? And why were they so excited now?
TWO:
Osa Pittsmith
Elegance has never looked so clear on a face before. Osa Pittsmith, older sister to the brutal victor, Teal, was always rumored to be brighter, more charming, more attractive, but what she made up for in personable skills and looks, she lacked in sheer brute force. As far as you can tell, she’s an enigma. But both she and her sister share a long, meaningful glance that is hard to define.
Terra Ivornary
The audience freezes as they all cast their eyes to the older woman. In her early sixties, she’s plump, but she walks with pride up the stage. She’s a baker from the square, but she has confidence. The only noticeable mark of her age, regardless of the graying hair and withered skin, is her trembling hands. To come from a Career district, reaping a simple baker seems shocking.
THREE:
Zero Holloway
Someone clears their throat when the name gets drawn from the bowl. The young man fixes his glasses before he starts for the stage. Someone tries to reach for his wrist but he slips from their grasp before it’s too late. It’s cold. It’s quiet, but Zero stands among the rest, accepting fate.
Citron Gulwether
No one even knows who Citron is, who they’re connected to. Seventy, withered, and looks tired. There’s someone far off that you could mistake for calling to volunteer as tribute, but it goes ignored. Citron moves slowly towards the stage, but manages with no help. Their breath is loud, they’re running out of steam but it’s all for the game.
FOUR:
Marina Tidestrum
She emerges from the crowd, but not confused. Just a slow step forward as if this is a declaration of sorts. The ex of Roux Selkirk Her fingers rub together nervously as she tries to search for eyes that will give her the answers. She doesn’t get them. She just gets to the stage where she’s championed like an icon. It feels far from that.
Abe Iss
Abe stands tall. He’s built well enough that there are some that clap at his reaping. A lot more reassuring of victory than the previous draw. He’s smiling, or at least, it looks like it’s supposed to be a smile. He’s not particularly attractive or charming, but he’s built. He’s a mentee to an old victor, much like a grandson. His fists clench and he looks brutal, but also, for some reason... uncomfortable.
FIVE:
Darby Skiberry
Darby Skiberry was a nurse. Specifically, one that took care of the children. She was in her mid-forties, been a nurse for thirty years. She was a mother figure to many, including the victor for the 67th Games, Ambro Forge. There’s some sobs from the crowd as she climbs to the stage, her fear is evident.
Kin Rosesand
The youngest child in the Rosesand family, youngest sibling to Aven, perhaps the most needy in the bunch, but now a young adult, trudges onto the stage and cries. Openly. They do not want to be there, and the eyes of hundreds on them, gives them a visible tremble. This was not what they were prepared for.
SIX:
Helena Clearwater
She’s forcing a smalls mile on her face, dusting off her dress as she starts for the stage, no guidance needed. Pista Clearmark’s mother, ever the beacon of warmth, has now found her time. It’s hard, judging from the audience, if she’s happy or heartbroken.
Cabil Stulvurg
Stulvurg is an old name. Cabil is young. Twenty. Everyone knows that boy is twenty. He was birthed in the river from his mother who didn’t get to see the face of her new baby boy. Stulvurg designs the very trains they build. Baster Stulvurg, Cabil’s father, was intense but never terrible. But Cabil was warmth. Cabil, who made the mistake of falling in love with Haldi Commonbo, the winner of the 70th Games. Haldi, who shrieked and cried as her lover sauntered onto stage. Baster, a cold and collected man, yelled for his son’s freedom. For once, power couldn’t buy safety.
SEVEN:
Nettle Blume
She can’t exactly see straight. She walks with a cane even though she’s in her thirties. After a lumber accident, Nettle was considered useless. Her family was going to perish after she couldn’t work any longer. Caspan Roseleaf, who was a victor over forty years ago, hired her to tend to his home in the victor village. For over a decade, the two have had a tight bond, and watching her struggle to get on the stage makes the crowd uneasy.
Harbor Gazel
There’s confusion that settles over every one. But Harbor... he’s not around anymore, is he? Doesn’t matter, next thing everyone sees is a frail, weak figure being tugged onto the stage. Harbor Gazel, is hard to recognize. There’s no hair to be found on their face. None from their head, their eyebrows. There’s wisps of eyelashes but they look near transparent, and there’s small adjustments to his face. Different cheekbones, mainly. He looks... kind of like Harbor. Then raises the question, has he been in Seven this whole time? No one can know, because before questions start being asked, he looks to the camera, and raises his hands, beginning to form gestures and movements. And then---... the camera cuts out.
EIGHT:
Beck Baxwoll
A younger sibling to Emory Baxwoll, not so small anymore, looks tired and worn from the day’s work as he steps onto the stage. It’s like there’s no room to process the pain of it all before he stands there. This is just another job he has to do, isn’t it?
Chrysanthe Silverhair
The local clothes maker. Sewist of all things even remotely appealing within Nine. Chrysanthe became friends and primary caretaker of Dahilia Feher years ago. A victor, now in her nineties, with no living family. Chrysanthe has always been a beloved force within the community, and there are sobs heard when they step onto the stage.
NINE:
Sola Honimoore
The reaping of Perri Honimoore’s son is met with silence. There are some in the crowd who are old enough to remember the story. The birthing of the young boy who became attached to Perri’s leg. The boy scooped up in the wreck of the Games. And now, as much as Perri has fought against it, it seems his ties to the Games is not ready to release yet.
Holly Nightwing
“It’s not fair!” She shouts only seconds after her name is drawn. “I didn’t ask to be loved!” She’s young. Maybe her mid-twenties. She looks at stocky as the grain that blows in the wind behind them. Only in whispers do they know of Holly’s secret companionship to victor Kuds Full, a victor from the 72nd Games. A Victor who had been married to someone else only monthsafter returning from victory.
TEN:
Ginger Flatlock
The daughter of the 32nd Hunger Games winner, Archer Flatlock, ascends to the stage with trembling knees, if only for a split moments before her back straightens into something that resembles forced confidence. Looking to her father, his face is pale, almost green, but makes no noise. He’s frozen in silence.
Bire Wildvale
Tall, but not especially built. Bire had a tendency to work on the fields. Just a simple man, in his late twenties. Bire married Fennel two years ago, the son of Archer Flatlock. Bire, while not blood related, was just as much a son in the Flatlock house as his husband. His eyes are read and he’s squinting from the son but he stands beside Ginger, hand on her shoulder. The Flatlock family, and specifically Archer, feels no mercy this year.
ELEVEN:
Birch Peaceroot
It’s a swift reaping. Elven is far too sued to their loved ones and their promising youths being ripped from their cracked fingertips. The young Birch, Rigg’s Nephew, hurries to the stage. It’s hard not to spot the horror that’s on his face as he looks out to his expansive district, and their forced apathy.
Parsley Fairwillow
There’s not many victors in Eleven. Not that are alive anyways. But Parsley, who’s close to middle age, peppered with silver makes in her hair, looks confused as she steps onto the stage. Her father, a victor of the 13th hunger Games, had died thirty-four years ago. As she’s lead on the stage by Peacekeepers, the horror registers on the face of some of those in the crowd. Even in death, your loved ones aren’t saved.
TWELVE:
Wren Thornewood
There’s an audible wail that comes from the crowd the second the name is drawn. Though it’s hard to find, without much fight, the young girl ascends to the stage, her hands joined together at her front. The crowd looks disturbed. The girl they came to know and adore. The girl who just barely got by last year from her sister. Her time as finally come.
Gage Overgrove
It’s horror on the man’s face as he starts for the stage. He looks back towards his wife, who looked plump with her pregnancy, that she was about ready to give birth at any moment. The Overgrove family doesn’t console, only stands frozen, and Gage can’t even look their sibling Hudson in the eyes as they stand beside the young Wren.
OOC --- THE MEAT AND BONES
Let’s just get into it. You guys voted, shockingly unanimously, wow. So, this is just a quick drop! We will have this plot drop for two days (two for my sanity because the next drop is huge and I need some time to write it all up), which is mainly meant to give you some time to write a self para reacting to this drop. It’s not mandatory. If you’d rather take the break, by all means, please do! I just ask, if you plan to write a self para, please take this time to get it up before the next drop.
For in character timeline, from here there will be quick movements. Characters get rushed to the train and there will be no meeting with loved ones (similar to Catching Fire, Katniss didn’t have a chance to talk to her family before being sent in again). You can write of your character getting on the train but do not write further than the first night on the train. The next drop will begin on the morning of the train ride to the Capitol.
Plot with other members if you’d like to mention conversations or interactions between characters in your self paras. I do not recommend this time to have threads since there will be so little time. But hey, if you can write a thread in two days, go off.
If you have an fc for your designated npc, send it my way (or if you want me to pick, bc I can def feel some vibes from the ones you guys have). I might make a graphic since I definitely have some npcs in mind for some folks on this list. Not guaranteed but... I might make one.
You might be wondering if you will be able to write against any of these npcs. The answer is... maybe. 24 npcs sounds like a lot to me so I’m trying to figure out how to best write npcs that doesn’t burn me out and gives everyone a chance to write with and npc (doesn’t have to be the npc tied to your muse, could be any of them). If that’s something you might be interested in, message me. By gaging how many people are interested in how many npcs will give me an idea of the work it’ll take. It’s not a guarantee but it is a check for level of interest.
Many characters talked about volunteering in their threads, it’s up to you whether they did or not but if they had, it wouldn’t have been successful, and their volunteer would have been rejected. I am kind of bending some rules because I assure you, putting your character in the games would be really boring and not as much juice as what I have planned for what happens outside of the game. I don’t plan to metagame/godmod this hard as an admin beyond this, but hopefully you guys understand that I am just trying to keep everyone from writing themselves into a corner.
Also just want to say, I know not every character has a loved one that were reaped. I had tried to keep things pretty strategic and fair. The hope is that this creates an interesting dynamic to potentially cause conflict. Those who have loved ones at stake vs. those who have love ones that were spared. I am always open for feedback and if you feel that this plot doesn’t set your character(s) up for success, please let me know! We’ll try to work something out.
I think that’s all I’ve got to say. You know where to put questions. Happy Hunger Games. Heh
Start date: Right now
End date: April 28th
Tag: The Reaping (this is not a chapter because there is no time threading.)
