67th Hunger Games! || starfleetcxptain || closed
District seven, reaping day... his father had given him his best suit on his first reaping day, it was overly big, ragged but smart... but that had been 6 years ago, since then so many things had happened. His father was brutally murdered by peacekeepers on orders of the Capitol because he had been sneaking medicine into their district for the ill. David McCoy had taught Leonard everything he needed to know about medicine and how to help people. His fathers words rang in his rs every questioned his life. “You were put on this earth to do good Leonard, help anyone and show them that killing isn’t the only way in this world...” The suit fitted like a glove now, adjusting the collar slightly, his throat tight, nervous energy filling him as he bit the inside of his lip. Sure, there wasn’t much to live for anymore, but his mother... what would she do without him? His name was in that bowl so many times he’d lost count... hands shaking he hugged her, reminding her that this was his last year, that he on;y had to go through this one more time and then he would be too old to be entered into the Hunger Games. Somehow, that made him all the more nervous... Standing among all the others his age, the looks on their faces knowing that once the one person had been picked they were free to live - perhaps not comfortably, but they were allowed to live. Eyes moving to the younger people in the crowds. The 12 years olds, those poor children who would have to face the hunger games... have to enter that arena knowing that they were most likely done for... the ceremony started, the words ringing in his ears, the capitol man who greeted them with smiles and adoration. At first he had hated him, but over the years, he’d realised that this - this was a job that no decent human could do... As usual, the girls went first. A seventeen year old. Chapel her name was. Leonard had helped her mother a couple of years ago. Her tears making him regretful that he wasn’t able to volunteer for her. But he could only volunteer for the boys. His attention was moved to the stage as the name was plucked from the boys bowl, his throat tight as it was unfolded. “Pavel Chelkov” the voice said, there was a sudden relief that filled him, and then utter hatred. Chekov’s family had been in such ruin, their father and mother dying, their eldest sister having to step up to be the mother figure, and now, the youngest boy was going to be taken by the Hunger Games... he couldn’t allow that... in the moments that past. he saw the peacekeepers grabbing for the young screaming child, his eldest sister breaking ranks and fighting to get to him only to be held back by other peace keepers. His eyes found his mother, who had obviously read his thoughts and she nodded, tears in her eyes. He stepped out of rank , swallowing hard. “I volunteer as tribute.” The next thing he knew he was facing out from the stage, Chapel eyeing him strangely as the Capitol man made the people of his district clap for them. His eyes found the Chekov’s. All were crying and hugging Pavel, the eldest sister nodding a thanks to him as she scurried away with her family. He knew he had done the right thing... but now -- now he had to do something he wouldn’t like -- maybe there was a way... to not kill in the arena.... The train ride wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be. He actually managed to laugh with Chapel for a while before they pulled into the Capitol, screaming and adoring fans in their ugly get up, screaming and waving to the tributes as they got out of their trains and were piled into some sort of car that took them to the tribute center. The next day came sooner than Leonard thought, the parade wasn’t something he was looking forward too -- but it was the first time he would see every other tribute.. perhaps this was a good thing, they wouldn’t actually be able to talk, but it would let him see them at least... his damn stylist had no idea what he was doing, dressing him in a simple plaid shirt and thick denim trousers, axe in hand as he and chapel were sent away looking like morons on their chariot... it seemed like forever till it was over... greeted by his mentor and the capitol escort he caught sight of a blond across the room. Intrigued by his outfit, it was almost as ridiculous as his.









