^ the last images i drew of them like last year - actually really happy with the improvement! eliza kinda reminds me of someone i have no idea who though. anyway. these two are the parents of my main Hunger Games OC Mackinaw "Minnow" Thread, as well as her three siblings; Wincey, Jakard and Agave.
Jean Doe 🦌 - a play on John Doe, the default name for an unknown man, because of his disappearance before the story begins. Also Jean as in jeans. Because District 8. Moved from a smaller city to the main city of District 8 for work in his mid-twenties, where he met Eliza. He mainly works as a retail assistant, organising bulk fabric transport via train to other districts, as well as taking on other odd jobs when needed. Through his work, he's made some connections on District Eight's rapidly growing smuggling scene, mostly smuggling in cheap tobacco. He actively avoids the more violent circles, wanting to stay safe for his children and generally being very laid-back.
Eliza Thread 🐰 - a less industry-based first name reflects her family's origins, also seen in her blue eyes and blonde hair. Her grandparents originated in District One, and moved to District Eight before the Dark Days to run a printed silk business in the wealthier part of Eight's capital city. The business went under during the Dark Days, and Eliza's family lost their income, moving to the low-income neighbourhood where Eliza and her children would live. Eliza worked dyeing low quality fabrics in a factory, in a time where the chemicals in dyes were unregulated and unsafe, causing many of the children of factory workers to be born with grey hair and early vision loss, and in extreme cases, anophthalmia/microphthalmia.
Eliza and Jean's relationship was originally one of mutual convenience; Jean needed a place to stay in the city while he sought employment, and Eliza was under pressure from her parents to have children. Although neither had romantic feelings for the other (both are on the aromantic spectrum, although they wouldn't have a word for this), they became very close, depending on each other, and raising their children together, while remaining unmarried and mostly living separately, in Jean's case often entertaining temporary partners (mostly men #bisexual win)(with Eliza's knowledge and approval dw). After Minnow was born with grey hair as a result of untreated dyes in the factory, Eliza and Jean became more disillusioned with life in District Eight, which was amplified after their fourth child, Agave, was born very weak and sickly, with extremely limited medical care available.
With Jean's smuggling contacts, the pair forged birth certificates and papers for Eliza and the children, and organised an escape plan. Jean would attempt to leave Panem altogether, to the remaining land outside the Districts, and Eliza would take the children via cargo train to District 12, with its limited Capitol presence. While Jean successfully vanished (although it is unknown whether he is dead or alive), Minnow was left behind after guards discovered the family attempting to catch the train, and Agave died months later in District 12. anyway i like them. :) they're cutes sorry about the horrors guys.
bonus image of 25 year old Minnow (2025 present-day au idk??) holding random objects?? because i wanted to draw her . reward if you read all this. and some stupid guy named Fennel who also lives in D8 who i hate but has story relevance that i will not share yet. he kinda looks like jean oops but thats just because legally d8 men need dumb 60s hair and a weird moustache. (joke)
