Zarya Reynolds

Age: 12 District 3 Tribute for the 74th Annual Hunger Games

[from-the-capitol]

AND THE WINNER OF THE SEVENTH RAFFLE IS...

Read More

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Hide and Seek || Private Training

Zarya wasn't sure what she was going to do for her private training.  The only thing that she was almost decent at was slingshots...and that wasn't going to impress anyone.  In fact, the girl pretty much knew that nothing that she would do would impress anyone.  Especially the Gamemakers.  But Zarya knew that she had to do something...she had 15 minutes and absolutely no skills to show during it.  Curling herself into a ball she rested her chin on her knees, wishing more than anything that she could disappear.  Be invisible.  Hide in a place where nobody could find her.  That was something that she was good at: hiding.  She had spent her entire life learning how to avoid the wrath of her Aunt and Uncle. 

But she couldn't win by hiding.  One of the scary tributes had told her that and it was something that Zarya knew was true.  But it had been going through her mind since she had seen everyone else: there was no way that she could kill them.  Or even hurt them.  They were all so much bigger and scarier and it was easier to not have to think about that too.  However the girl couldn't do that much longer...the arena was getting closer and she was going to have to think about it eventually.  Maybe she could hide from them in the arena...sneak past them when they weren't looking.

But that still didn't help her with her private training session.  

Unless....it was probably a silly idea but maybe hiding was what she could do for her private training.  There were days when she was yougner when she would hide for hours from her guardians.  

Maybe she could just hide from the Gamemakers too.  Play with a slingshot and hide from the Gamemakers...Zarya could do that for 15 minutes.

Zarya Reynolds.

The girl gasped when she realized that it was her turn, forgetting that it came so early.  Others were going to have to wait for hours and probably already knew what they were going to have to do.  Slowly she slid off her seat, her feet touching the floor for the first time since she got to the hallway.  And slowly she walked into the room.  She stayed in the shadows as her time started, the Gamemakers looking around the floor for someone.  Maybe they didn't remember who she was and wanted to see her before judging her.  Maybe they expected her to do something that they could see.  the first was likely, the second was probably not.

Slowly she snuck to the slingshots and quickly grabbed one off the table, sure that by now the Gamemakers weren't even watching for her.  Their voices filled the room as she talked as she grabbed a handfull of small rocks and fled to the shadows, knocking the bowl containing rocks down in the process.  The noise surprised the Gamemakers she could see, considering they hadn't looked up until she was on the other side of the room.  Zarya imagined that this must have been what it was like to play hide and seek, since she had never actually gotten to play it before.  However that wasn't going to be enough, slowly she went over to where the walking target things were and turned it on, with them moving back and forth.  No longer looking at the Gamemakers to see if they saw her, she ran behind one of the holograms, using it to block her from their sight, hoping that it worked.  Once she was back in the corner, she aimed one of the rocks at one of the targets and shot.  It hit the back of its leg, barely causing anything to happen except alert the thing to her hiding spot.  Zarya hadn't thought of that when it started, and figured that she was now just showing the Gamemakers how fast she was going to die.  She quickly bolted from her hiding spot, hoping that it wasn't going to fake kill her that quickly.  If Zarya couldn't even hide from a fake person there was no way that they would be able to think that she could hide from a real one.  Looking back to see if it was still following her she ran into the net.  Crouching into a ball for a few seconds she stared at the rope ladder, how if she got up it then she wouldn't at least be trampled by the fake people things, even though she wasn't quite sure if they could get her over here.  Slowly she started climbing, trying her best not to pant, or do anything that drew attention to herself.  She did that once, when she had crawled on top of a wardrobe once when her Aunt and Uncle had been looking for her, and she hid there for 5 hours before one of them found her.  Though she quickly started slowly doing and it was a long time before she got to the top.  There was only about a minute left by the time that she got to the top and she quickly positioned herself over the dummies, all still running around looking for something to kill.  Zarya started dropping the rocks on their head, wanting to show that she could do something, though it wasn't all that impressive.  Again it only showed minor irritance the times that it did land on someone, as most of the times the rocks just fell to the floor.  Looking like there was no aiming involved whatsoever.  And then her time was up.

Zarya looked at the floor and realized how far up she was, and then how long it had taken her to get to the top.  That was something that she hadn't anticipated.  "Um...can anyone please get me down from here?" she asked, "Because....I don't really know how to get down."

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Caesar Flickerman: Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome to the stage (tribute name here) from district (number here). Everyone give them a round of applause. To start off, how are you feeling about this year’s games?

  Zarya: Um..... -stares at Caesar-

  Caesar Flickerman: What trait or ability do you possess that you think makes you stand out over the rest of the completion?

  Zarya: I....I....I don't know...

  Caesar Flickerman: If you do come out as victor, what is the first thing you’ll do with the new found title?

  Zarya: Give...my mouse....a mouse house?

  Caesar Flickerman: Is there anyone special back home that has been in your mind since arriving at the capitol?

  Zarya: My daddy....

  Caesar Flickerman: To end on a touching note, if that person were here right now, what would you say to them?

  Zarya: That I love him.....and I wish he was here....to make things better.

  Caesar Flickerman: Thank you Zarya and may the odds be ever in your favor!

[revolutionary-girl-for-ever]

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Mouse Trap || Zarya, Laexus

[laexus-meldrum-deactivated20200]

Laexus felt his heart jump inside his chest, a pang of guilt sending momentary discord through the organ and into the rest of his limbs once more.  So young.  So pure.  So innocent.  Zarya was only like the rest of the tributes, the pitiful desire to return home even under negative home pressures.  No one wanted to die, and that was a simple fact.  Yet, here they were, and soon they’d be at each other’s throats trying to keep someone else from going back to something.

So, positives were needed in these cases.  Starting with Zarya, Laexus tried to reason out his best ideas for her.  “Sure you would.  You’d be a victor and you’d get to do anything you want.  You don’t have to see anyone you don’t want to and you don’t have to give Munchkin away.” The Career proposed, giving only half-truths to the small girl.  Hopefully she wouldn’t know the difference… “Why don’t you think you can win?  Even the biggest obstacles can be defeated, I’ll have you know.” He chuckled, straightening his back as his fingers pulled up a chair to face the small girl. 

Once seated, he gave a small shrug and tried prodding the conversation into a less daunting area.  “Do you think Munchkin would mind if I tried petting him?  He looks so soft, and I’ve never had an animal-friend before.  Which brings me to ask, if you don’t mind, how did you two meet?” 

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Zarya refused to let herself imagine that all the wonderful things that Laexus was talking about.  Because she knew that she would never have them.  Her Aunt and Uncle would find a way to turn her new house into theirs and would still have her do everything for them.  Her Dad still wouldn't come around except for a few minutes every few months.  Everything would probably stay the same.  

Why don’t you think you can win?  Even the biggest obstacles can be defeated, I’ll have you know.

Zarya had thought that the answer was obvious. It was already clear how much taller he was than her, how much bigger, how much stronger.  And there were so many other tributes that were the same way that the girl wouldn't have a chance.

"I'm too small," she explained, looking at the floor, "and all the weapons are too big...or too scary.  And I don't want to hurt anybody.  Nobody can win the Hunger Games like that."  It was a hard thing to admit, and the girl tried not to tear up at the thought...though she had to wipe away a few forming tears when she thought Laexus wasn't looking. 

Do you think Munchkin would mind if I tried petting him?  He looks so soft, and I’ve never had an animal-friend before.  Which brings me to ask, if you don’t mind, how did you two meet?

The questions were a surprise, as nobody had ever asked her about Munchkin before, though nobody was supposed to know about him either.  And the girl wasn't quite sure how he felt about strangers....he had done well when Ray had rescued him on the train, but now they were somewhere completely different, and Laexus and Ray were nothing alike...there was a chance that he wouldn't like him.

"You can try," she finally said, "as long as your careful...because I still don't know if he'll like you.  Especially since I'm the only human that he really knows....I met him when I was hiding under my bed from my Uncle....because he was trying to hit me again....and that's where he stayed...until we came here."

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Pretty Flowers || Zarya, Nina

[district12ninaphalange]

Nina was off on another day of training, trying to figure out something she was decent at.  So far, the weapon stations were always crowded and fiddling with lethal objects she knew nothing about while skilled near professionals looked on made her want to vomit.  Nina picked the edible plant station, only one other Tribute was studying at the table.  The small girl across from her was arranging the flowers into a pattern, for the most part, she appeared to be completely harmless.  

Nina watched as the girl seemed uncomfortable as she sat across from her.  "I can leave if you want…"  Nina announced, observing the array of flowers that the girl meticulously placed.  "I mean, I don’t want to make you nervous."  Her hand went out to touch one of the petals of the pink flowers, “That’s really pretty!"  She complimented the small girl, hoping that it would break the ice and show that she wasn’t some kind of blood thirsty child.  "Flowers are one of my, like, most favorite things.  In the Summer in twelve there would be one field that would light up with wild flowers of all colors, it was such a nice contrast from the coal that usually dusted coating everything.  

"I’m Nina.  I’m sorry I can’t remember your name, I know I remembered your face though."

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

The girl in front of her offered to leave and Zarya almost asked her to, except that probably would have gotten the girl mad at her.  And Zarya was trying her best to make sure that nobody was mad at her.  It was safer that way.  

That’s really pretty! Flowers are one of my, like, most favorite things.  In the Summer in twelve there would be one field that would light up with wild flowers of all colors, it was such a nice contrast from the coal that usually dusted coating everything. 

"That must be beautiful!" Zarya exclaimed, forgetting for a moment that they were both tributes.  She had only imagined what a field of flowers would look like, they weren't exactly in District 3.  It was mostly factories, a land of buildings, no plants anywhere.  "We don't have that in District 3.  There's too many factories.  They probably wouldn't grow all on their own."  The girl wished that they would grow though...they probably would have made people feel better.  Maybe she could have given them to her Aunt and Uncle and everything would be better between them, though the girl knew that was just wishful thinking.  

I’m Nina.  I’m sorry I can’t remember your name, I know I remembered your face though.

"Well most people don't even remember my face," the tribute admitted, looking back at her flowers, "but I'm Zarya.  Its...nice to meet you."

[trinton-allegrio]

dreams of the future - trint x zarya

[trinton-allegrio]

The poor girl was lost and confused. To be fair, Trint was the same; he was just better at hiding it. Years of lost confusion had taught him how to keep his head down and pretend like he knew what he was doing. Something in this girl, though, hinted that she was quickly learning the same techniques. The two of them were similar, really.

She had many of the same mannerisms that he did. She kept her gaze low, and when she had to raise her head, her eyes darted from side to side. Her sentences were broken and fragmented, just like his. Her voice was subdued and soft. And she had the confidence of heavy-set, teenage slug. All of these characteristics described Trint as well.

He chuckled again at her request. “Not for you? If the food isn’t for you, who is it for?” He couldn’t help the sudden wave of superstition that swept through him, though. Was he also not supposed to take any food? Was it for mentors only? No, that was insane. The room was called the Tributes’ Lounge. They both were fine.

“I think you’re fine. I… I think it’s okay if you want to eat it.” He smiled again. He hadn’t smiled truly in a long time. His mouth twitched with the difficulty of holding the position, and it soon dropped from his face. But still, he had smiled.

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Not for you? If the food isn’t for you, who is it for?

Zarya wasn't quite sure how to answer his question, especially since it was hard to explain with the fact that her Aunt and Uncle weren't even there to punish her.  But the girl was still afraid, that somehow if she got out of the arena, they would give her the punishments that she missed.  And that always made it worse.  Getting beat once every few days wasn't too bad, especially since Zarya knew the mistakes that she made.  But a lot all at once....the girl just shuddered in anticipation of it.

I think you’re fine. I… I think it’s okay if you want to eat it.

The other by sounded so nice, even though the girl thought that he looked like a giant, though almost everyone here looked like a giant compared to her.  And when he smiled at her, she half smiled back, almost feeling like he felt similar to her.  Even though that probably wasn't possible.  Everyone else here seemed to know what they were doing and Zarya was just completely lost.

"No....I'm not allowed to," she finally explained, staring back at the floor, "my Aunt and Uncle....they said if I ever eat something that isn't toast....I'll get...punished.  And if its the same way in the Capitol...I don't want that to happen."

[bittre-restrin-d5-blog]

Age Differences || Bittre, Zarya

[bittre-restrin-d5-blog]

Longer and longer he stood there, hoping that at some point in time the young ragdoll looking girl would pick herself up; stand up and defend herself. He had to admit, even though he’d terrify her further for it, he’d have some dully noted respect to provide her if she could stand up and poke him in the chest. She couldn’t possibly have much to say anyways except “You big meanie." Or “You stupid buttface." And let’s face it, he’d heard much worse than that in his lifetime, especially with the gruff, menacing guys he used to work with as security guards.

After time stretched on for a good couple of minutes, Bittre eventually decided something would have to be done about the girl. He couldn’t just leave her there, and he had absolutely no intent on making her look cowardice. She had to have a fighting spirit somewhere within her and somehow that tiger would bust right out of its cage one way or another. Though it sure would be nice if he could be the one to bring it out of her. Sadly, just like poor Trinton, it seemed like there was a lot to be done here.

Walking over to where she sat crouched up like a potato, Bittre plucked a small set of three light, slick throwing knives and reached for her hand. He curled her fingers around the stack and patted it gently. “I’m not as scary as I come off, promise. You just caught me off guard." He whispered to her. Of course, to the Peacekeepers it had to look quite sketchy. “I know you have potential and I want to help you harness that. These games are not just about hiding, they’re about surviving. Killing, or at the very least injuring your opponents is a large part of that. Would you want to show me what you can do? I promise with all my heart, not to hurt you."

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

I’m not as scary as I come off, promise. You just caught me off guard.

The whisper only made Zarya want to crouch even further into a ball.  That was safe, it was the easiest way to hide...though she was in the middle of the room and she knew that she could be doing a much better job somewhere else.  But the girl wasn't even sure how she had caught him off guard...she hadn't done anything, she had just been walking, minding her own business and then before she knew it there was a knife thrown at her.  That didn't seem like she had caught him off guard...it was more like it seemed like this other tribute wanted to kill her and now couldn't get away with it with the Peacekeepers watching.  And the girl made a mental note to stay closer to them from now on....they were probably the safest place to be.

That was when Zarya noticed what he had put in her hand.  They were shiny, fancy, just like everything in the Capitol seemed to be.  But they were knives.  Razor-sharp pointy knives.  Her eyes widened in fear as she stared at them before instinctively dropping them on the floor, listening to them clatter rather loudly on the floor.  There was just something so wrong with this...something that Zarya didn't know how to put into words.

"I...I don't want to kill anybody," the girl stammered, hoping that was enough to make the scary boy go away, "or injure them, or hurt them.  That's too.......horrible."

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Mouse Trap || Zarya, Laexus

[laexus-meldrum-deactivated20200]

“I bet you could be, Zarya Reynolds.” Laexus wagered, still hovering over the small District Three girl like a giant.  Looking down on her, he’d never felt so big.  Is this how it felt for a lion to view a mouse?  Is this how it felt to be a tree, raised so high in the sky that everything appeared as tiny flecks of dust in the wind?  “Because I think you would do anything to protect Munchkin, right?  You didn’t deny being loyal, so I figure you could become fierce at any given moment.” The career chuckled, watching as she demonstrated her care.

Abnormal and undeniably different, the girl’s connection with the beast was interesting to say the least.  As if to tell her story, Zarya’s wounded eyes were wide and Laexus felt as though he were peeking into the life of a little girl who spent her few years in constant terror.  She was even afraid now.  Who wouldn’t be?  She needed a friend.  A confidant that – by some fateful circumstance – was found in the solace of a mouse.

Gray eyes resting on the mouse eating at the palm of her hand, Laexus slowly raised his gaze to look the girl back into her pitiful eyes.  Did she understand the split division between their Districts?  How his very name represented luxury; fine things that could only be dreamed about.  How he had been trained to choke the life from every inch of her body.  Laexus could hardly stand the guilt that surfaced and instead tried to find another smile. 

“A name is only what you make of it, Zarya.  They’re only here to give precedent over our existence.  Or at least that’s what I believe.” The boy chuckled, knowing that he probably didn’t make sense to the girl.  Truthfully, that would have been okay, though.  Bearing down some deep existential beliefs upon a twelve year old girl hardly seemed favorable.  In fact, not at all.  “For example, they call me a Career because I’m supposed to hurt people.  But I don’t want to hurt anyone.  I only want to go back home and live a peaceful life.  Like you and Munchkin.”

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Zarya still wasn't quite sure what the other tribute meant by fierce.  But he was right when he said that she would protect Munchkin, since the mouse couldn't even fend for himself against everyone here.  Of course the girl knew that she couldn't do much better.  But fierce, sometimes the tribute had heard that word on TV during the Hunger Games and it was always about the scary tributes.  The ones that killed people and ended up winning....or at least very, very close to winning.

And there was absolutely no chance that was going to be her.

Zarya tried to push that to the back of her mind as Laexus explained about names, however that just confused her more.  But she didn't want to let him know how confused she was.  Even though he was nice, he could probably still kill her before she could blink, and Zarya didn't want to give him a reason to.  That wasn't something that Munchkin needed to see.

"I don't want to hurt anyone either," Zarya sighed, staring at the ground, "but...I already know that I'm not going to go home.  And even if I did....I wouldn't be allowed to have it peaceful."

[sashatoille]

I'm Coming Home || Laurel & Zarya

[sashatoille]

Watching the little girl smile, although it was just a small smile, gave Laurel the clichéd warm feeling inside, the kind that, once you have experienced it, you realise exactly why it became a cliché in the first place. However, there seemed to be a certain sadness behind Zarya’s eyes, a sadness that she didn’t dare ask about for fear of upsetting the child. Then when her head sunk down to look at the floor, Laurel’s heart mirrored the motion. True, most of the weapons around the room were far too big for a girl of her size to use. Was there anything at all that she could handle? Her eyes fell on something in a corner and, internally, she shrugged. It was worth a try.

"How about a slingshot? They’re not too big." 

Although allowing Zarya to pick up any of these weapons would probably make her heart race nearly as much as it would seeing Briar do the same, the nearly was rather large- Zarya actually needed to fight, and soon, whereas Bri had nine years of safety before he needed to worry. Plus, there was such thing as protecting someone too much, and if the girl was expected to survive in the arena, she needed some way of keeping herself alive. Which brought Laurel back to the point that had been troubling her for the whole conversation. That she would hate herself if she didn’t help Zarya in some way in the arena, but that at some point in time they would end up having to kill each other- and she couldn’t do that. And yet she could, to get back to Briar. But the guilt would kill her. So there was no way she could be with Zarya in the arena. And yet she’d feel guilty then, too-

Jeez, being oversensitive really sucks. She thought with a bitter smile. 

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

A slingshot.

Zarya hadn't even thought of that before, though it was probably less scary than anything else that she could use.  Though the girl wasn't sure how much damage a slingshot could actually do.  Maybe there was a chance that she could distract someone and get away...and not have to kill anybody.  That was something that Zarya wanted more than anything...to not have to kill anybody, even though the girl was sure she wouldn't last long enough to get that far.  She probably wouldn't, there were plenty of scary people that would probably kill her first.

But what surprised Zarya the most was that it seemed like Laurel wanted to help her learn, which was good.

Though the girl also knew that it probably wasn't going to last long.  Not when she had a son to get back to.

"That's probably a good idea," the girl finally said, shyly smiling at the other tribute, "I didn't think of using one of those before....but do you know where they're at?  Because I still can't really find my way around yet.  The training center is kind of.........big."

[trinton-allegrio]

dreams of the future - trint x zarya

[trinton-allegrio]

Trint was halfway through a piece of kiwi when he heard the low moan and subsequent gasp. He froze up for only a minute before realizing that this girl could do no more harm to him than the fruit on his plate. His body relaxed, but he didn’t turn around. After all, she was probably just as petrified as he was in the training arena.

The thought led him to think of his sister, Imalee, back in District Seven. Sure, Lee was older than this girl, but Trint couldn’t help but draw the connections of lost, innocent, and scared between the two girls. He couldn’t bring himself to imagine Imalee having to go through this sort of confusion, terror, and desolation. He just couldn’t. And to imagine a girl, even younger than her… Trint felt his heart breaking with the relaxation he felt. This girl wouldn’t last two minutes in the arena. Trint may last five.

With a steadying breath, Trint slowly turned to face the girl. She was tiny, even for a twelve year old (since she couldn’t be any older than that based on her stature). Her hand was clasped over her mouth, and he couldn’t help the husky chuckle that slipped out of his lips. Her eyes were wide in fright.

“Uh,” he started. Great. He couldn’t even form a sentence when talking to a child. “Uh… hi there. Got enough to eat there?” His mouth curled into a something that resembled a smile. His body hadn’t quite gotten used to the idea of expressing happiness since the Reaping. It was relearning. 

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

For a few seconds Zarya thought that she had managed not to disturb him, that was until he turned around and looked at her.  The girl's eyes grew as wide as plates as she waited for his reaction.  He didn't look mad, but sometimes Aunt Adelaide didn't look mad and that was when she was the worst.  When she was punishing Zarya with a smile on her face.  However the other tribute didn't exactly look like he was happy either.  So maybe that meant she wasn't going to get hurt, or slapped, or something like that...but she still wasn't sure what to think of him.

Uh… hi there. Got enough to eat there?

The girl had forgotten about her plate that was still resting on the couch and as she looked at it another wave of guilt splashed over her as she could hear her Uncle's voice telling her that if she ever ate something other than toast he would beat her every night for a week.  And even though she was in the Capitol she still didn't want him to risk finding out. Even if she would be dead before he could get to her.

"I'm....I'm not supposed to eat it," she quietly said, "I shouldn't have taken it in the first place because its for everyone else and not me.  Do you....want it?" Zarya asked the final question, hoping that he would take the food and she wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Mouse Trap || Zarya, Laexus

[laexus-meldrum-deactivated20200]

A chuckle fell from his lips as he caught the small girl suddenly beaming up at him, precisely the kind of reaction that could instantly melt away any prior fear or misunderstandings.  Laexus was not here to purposefully disturb the little blonde’s personal time, but was only curious as to why she had given up on training already. 

Common to the theme of many tributes already though, the girl was probably lonely more than anything.  As a mere mouse as her only company Laexus could feel beads of pity swell up within his heart.  Being no more than twelve or thirteen at the most, the blonde was fresh into the Reaping and this new world was likely terrifying.  She needed someone to comfort her, and as awkward as Laexus normally felt, it wasn’t so hard to branch out to her.

“Mouse?!” The Career muttered, confused.  Honestly, he’d never known a difference between a rat and a mouse.  In the training facility surviving and taking another’s life was the only important thing; not some silly creatures.  And yet, with his head cocked to the side he stared down at the beast on her shoulder with a quirky smile on his face.

“Munchkin the Mouse,” He mused at last, sounding the name out for himself, “I like it. But I’m sorry I didn’t know the difference.  I’ve never even seen a real mouse before, to be truthful.” Laexus admitted in a rough tenor voice.  Though at last he shrugged chuckling again as he looked to the girl’s face.  “Does Munchkin’s fierce and loyal protector have a name?  Mine’s Laexus Meldrum, and I really am sorry about calling you a rat, Munchkin.” He spoke, talking directly to the animal.  “It won’t happen again.”

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

The girl was surprised that the other tribute didn't know the difference between a rat and a mouse, Zarya had to catch them both so frequently that she knew the difference.  She knew that mice liked to stop and eat food while rats tried to steal food and get off with it as fast as possible.  Catching mice was also easier and they made better pets than rats did.  Though Zarya only tried to keep a rat once and it lasted for an hour before it bit her.  And then when she yelled in surprise Uncle Theodore came and ripped its head off in front of her.... and the girl couldn't help but be glad he hadn't found Munchkin, and now probably never would.

"I'm not fierce," Zarya insisted, though she wasn't quite sure what the word meant.  It wasn't anything that came up on conversation back home but still it didn't seem like the word fit, "But my name is Zarya....Zarya Reynolds."  However Laexus surprised her when he talked to Munchkin too, though the mouse didn't really take that much of a notice as it ran back down her arm and into her palm, sniffing her fingers.  It was what he always did when he was hungry, and quickly she dug into her pocket and grabbed half of a cracker for the mouse, and it quickly began biting into it.

"You have a very different name," the girl quietly said, not sure if that would get the career boy mad at her or not...because she almost liked being on his good side, at least for the moment. It made things a little less scary, though Zarya knew that was going to change eventually.

[canespugnaces-deactivated201607]

gambit » Eudocia, Zarya

Leather boots met an abundance of steel as the tribute trekked about the Training Centre, her inherently steely leer darting to and fro, lingering about the abundance of mediocrity laid out before her. A fumble here, a fall there — gods, the lot of them were incompetent. But hell, what was the spitfire to expect? An armada of fit and ready assailants? A Praetorian Guard?

No, she was much too wise to anticipate such asininity. This was guerrilla warfare — nothing but cheap and dirty tactics utilised in unison with one another to abolish a greater power. That power, in the eyes of the malignant tribute herself, being Eudocia Edevane. She was to be the fiercest competitor this year, the one to reign supreme. They were all but pawns in her intricate contention with the Capitol; spindly digits tainted with droplets of blood guiding each and every one of their moves. Eudocia was no different, however. She was not the chessmaster in this game, instead being but another negligent constituent of the Capitol’s gambit. She was a tribute; a sacrifice.

Thus the collateral found herself standing before the ranged weapons, her eyes trailing after an object in particular: a halberd, and a finely polished one at that. Latching onto it with a voracious hunger, she relished in the weight of the blade, beholding it with a deific regard. “Hello, old friend," she spoke softly, regaling in the weapon’s occupancy. She was content — overjoyed, almost. That was, until another entity made its presence known.

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Zarya still wanted to avoid the weapons as much as possible, in fact the girl wished that she didn't have to walk past them to get to some of the other stations.  She knew that eventually she would have to figure out one that she was decent with, but the child knew that there wouldn't be anything that would work.  The swords and bows were practically her height, the spears were much taller. Zarya doubted that anything would be of much use if she tried it, and so she didn't.  It didn't make sense to.

However as she started her way back to the tent-making station she passed the District 4 girl holding a large weapon that she had never seen before.  It made sense that she was so comfortable with it, after all she would be a career, but the way that she talked to the weapon made Zarya more than uncomfortable.  If she considered a weapon her friend, the girl was sure that meant that if they ran into each other in the arena it would mean that Zarya was toast.  Or more like a dead girl walking.  Though looking at the career, she was almost afraid that she wouldn't even make it to the arena.

Hoping that the other girl didn't see her, Zarya started to step back, almost praying that she wouldn't disturb the other girl.  That was until she ran into a rack of weapons and knocked them all to the floor.  The girl's eyes widened as she watched the career, barely able to breathe in fear that she was about to die.  Or be hurt.  Or something.  

[sashatoille]

I'm Coming Home || Laurel & Zarya

[sashatoille]

"Zarya," She murmured, testing the word on her tongue before grinning. “Nice name." The girl’s maternal instincts were kicking in, and she felt the urge to hug Zarya, because she really looked like she needed it. However she stopped herself, thinking how weird she would seem. How weird she must already seem, as not many eighteen year olds have sons who are nearly four. Again, her seemingly one-track mind flew back to thoughts of Briar. Were her parents taking care of him better than they took care of her? Hopefully. No matter how much she loved them, Laurel knew they were useless. She’d had to feed the family since she was about ten. 

"I’ve never met a little kid before…"

The other tribute’s words made the corners of her eyes crinkle with amusement, as this was the girl everyone in the room thought of as a ‘little kid’. However, twelve was probably the age where stating that wouldn’t make her very happy. Although Zarya didn’t seem like a pretentious child like Laurel herself had been, playing at being eighteen and wishing beautiful years of her life away. Maybe this girl had more sense than that.

"I think you’d do great." It was true. Back home, though she was far from happy about him having to watch these brutal games, Bri was probably rooting for Zarya. Or he would have been, had his mother not been there, too. She’d always been the one to cover up his eyes when it got too much, because the precocious boy seemed to understand exactly what was going on. Would her parents think to do that? But she shook these thoughts away. Briar was alive and safe and although she missed him, so much it felt like it was killing her, there was another child here. And she was far from safe. Laurel’s duty, not just as a mother but also as a human being, was surely to make sure she was alright.

"So, Zarya, have you learnt any skills while you were here? I’m sure you’re amazing at something, and to be honest I’m pretty awful at everything. So even if you haven;t found what you’re amazing at yet, well maybe we could find something together? And if you have, you could give me some tips!" She smiled, but chewed on her thumbnail, a nervous habit. Laurel was aware of how crazy she sounded. Nice, but weak, and crazy. Hopefully she wouldn’t be like that in the interview.

Niceness wouldn’t win the games.

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Zarya smiled a little when Laurel insisted that she would be good with her son, though the girl wasn't so sure.  She had never been allowed near any kids whatsoever, expect the few times that she had been allowed to go to school and even then she was isolated because nobody knew who she was.  However one thing was certain, Zarya could tell that she really cared about her son.  Just the way that she talked about him, it made the girl wish that her mom hadn't died, so that she could talk about her that way too.  Maybe.  The girl had been told so many times that she was the reason her mother went crazy and killed herself that maybe it was a good thing that it succeeded.  Zarya didn't wouldn't have wanted to disappoint her mother as Uncle Theodore continually told her that she would have done.  But that was a bad thought too because the girl wished that she could remember her mother, that she had just one memory.  And she hoped that if something happened to Laurel that her son would at least be able to remember his mother, because not remembering was something that the little girl wouldn't wish on anyone.

So, Zarya, have you learnt any skills while you were here? I’m sure you’re amazing at something, and to be honest I’m pretty awful at everything. So even if you haven;t found what you’re amazing at yet, well maybe we could find something together? And if you have, you could give me some tips!

"I...I haven't found anything yet," the girl reluctantly admitted, staring at the floor, "the survival skills are too hard to memorize and the weapons are....too big."

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Mouse Trap || Zarya, Laexus

[laexus-meldrum-deactivated20200]

Hours had grown short in the training center, many of this year’s tributes resorting to last minute cramming sessions with any instructor they could; learning any valuable lesson at all could ultimately save their lives.  However, Laexus ambled around the stations until he finally found himself staring up at the behemoth tree from the day before.  Looking up at it, it seemed like miles high until it touched the training center’s ceiling. 

It looked so easy to climb.  Branches hung so effortlessly off of the main trunk and taunted him as they floated in mid-air.  If only he could scale the monster to its fullest height and concur the world.  Well, not the world per say, but the tallest obstacle in this training facility.  And to Laexus, that was an accomplishment worth reaching for.  To touch the sky and float free; to stay where nothing could wound him anymore.  The thought alone was beautiful. 

Out of the corner of his peripherals, he could see a disturbance interrupting his quasi reverie.  Turning his head ever so slightly, the force was moving and a little chuckle of happiness spurt from behind the shadows.  Another tribute, surely, though the petite outline of their small form easily provided him the relief he needed to step around the tree and watch as she began smiling. 

With the notion his own lips began to etch a smile onto his expression, watching as some creature moved around in her hands.  The little girl was so small and innocent and so filled with…fear.  Suddenly his smile dropped as her small voice met his ears.  Hurt her?  No, he never meant to…he never wanted to; never intentionally. 

“No!  No, I’m not going to hurt you.  I promise!” The boy pleaded, sinking down to look her directly in the eyes.  Gray hues locked with sapphire, Laexus could understand why he looked so intimidating.  Standing so high, he looked like the tree from earlier to a little girl who barely met his hips.  “Please.” he begged, sincerity wavering in his tone.  Looking from her face to the pair of beady eyes that squirmed around in her hands, the Career tried giving another small smile to calm the pair of them down.  “I like your rat.  Does it have a name?”

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Zarya was surprised that he didn't want to hurt her, in fact the thought of hurting her actually made him....surprised?  Scared?  Nothing like he was supposed to be.  And the girl couldn't tell if that was a good thing or a bad thing.  And as he squatted down in front of her, and she could clearly see his face it became clear that he really didn't want to hurt her at all.  And in a way that was a relief, though at the same time it was also sort of scary.  Because if that was the case then maybe she wouldn't die right away...maybe there was a small chance that she would actually be able to survive.  But probably not.

I like your rat.  Does it have a name?

"Munchkin isn't a rat," Zarya chuckled at the other boy's mistake, not even realizing the smile that broke out onto her face, "he's a mouse.  If he was a rat he would be bigger.....and darker.......and would try to bite me."  The only reason that Zarya knew that was because on occasion rats did get into the house and it was always her job to catch them so that the house wasn't infested.  That was how she had found munchkin in the first place...though she didn't get rid of him the ways that she was supposed to get rid of the rats.  The mouse however examined the new tribute, debating whether or not it liked him.  Sniffing him a little he ran back up Zarya's arm and sat on her shoulder.  

"I don't think he likes you very much," Zarya admitted, "the last time someone called him a rat he stayed under my bed for a week before coming back out."

[sashatoille]

I'm Coming Home || Laurel & Zarya

Lazily, the girl’s fingers used the rope and wood to make a serviceable snare, which she then sat and stared at, a restless state of mind taking over. Of course, home had been far from perfect, but it was better than being raised and fattened for the slaughter. The fear and sense of unfairness was almost crushing even to Laurel, who was one of the oldest in the room. Her mind simply could not fathom the way the young tributes must have been feeling right there, being looked at as easy pickings, the first ones to attack, a good way to earn a solid kill to your name. It must have been unbearable.

Speaking of young tributes, Laurel noticed the girl from three standing near the station. Fair hair, tiny figure, innocent expression- it was impossible not to think of her son back in district five. A wave of agony hit her at the thought of the three-year-old child who needed her, and who she needed. Although this girl was much older, she was in pretty much the same situation as Bri would be- young, scared and helpless. Blinking away her useless tears, she approached the girl quietly, cautiously. Then, with the same tone of voice she used to talk to her son when he was upset, she spoke.

"Hello. I’m Laurel, I’m from district five. What’s your name, sweetheart?" She paused, fingers finding a lock of her blonde hair and twisting it as she tried to think of something- anything she could say to put this child at all at ease. Eventually she simply settled for the truth. “You remind me of someone from home, to be honest. The person who’s most important to me in the whole world. My son, Briar. He’s only three. I think you’d get along." 

Laurel couldn’t talk about Bri without a smile coming to her face, but this smile was more bittersweet than normal. Briar, the sweet child who would have to watch his mother kill and be killed on television, how would he cope? Would he ever be able to? And she was torn, because she wanted to come home, she had promised Briar and told him she was. And yet that would mean that the girl from three and so many other innocent lives would be ended. The revaluation shook her to the core. She choked back her emotion, however. Breaking down would only make this kid more scared. She was older, stronger. She had to appear brave.

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Zarya had been watching the different tributes and instructors make snares for a little while, thinking that it might be something that she was able to learn.  After all it didn't seem too hard....she just wished that it wasn't meant to trap animals.  Especially innocent animals that didn't do anything to them.  The girl understood that it could be used for food in the arena, however she didn't think that she wanted to kill an animal...she was used to not eating....maybe she wouldn't need food like that.

Hello. I’m Laurel, I’m from district five. What’s your name, sweetheart?

The girl hadn't even noticed the other tribute come up to her, and jumped a little at her words.  The number on her sleeve said District 5, and she seemed nice...but Zarya also knew that didn't mean anything.  She still might be killed by her...no matter how nice she looked.

"I'm Zarya," she said before Laurel started talking about her son.  And that surprised the girl...she didn't think that anyone would have had a kid, though there was the girl before who had been pregnant in the arena.  But to actually be a mom, it made the other tribute seem a lot less scary.  Hopefully.  But considering that Zarya couldn't even remember her mother, she didn't know how true that was.  Or this other girl could be like her Aunt Adelaide......and that was just scary to think about.

"Really?" she asked, surprised that the other tribute would say she could get along with the boy, "I've never met a little kid before...I don't know how good I would do."

[trinton-allegrio]

dreams of the future - trint x zarya

The break room was a safe haven. Trint could hide there. The food was good and filling, and Trint could avoid the eyes of the other Tributes. It was quiet there. It was safe there. After the first few hours of training, he needed the break.

He was useless in the training arena. He sat with his weights day after day. He had considered branching out to some other stations only once or twice, but the idea was fleeting. There was never a point. He always talked himself out of the embarrassment before he got there. He could feel the eyes of the other Tributes and the mentors there, and he hated it. The television each night commented on how wonderful Amethyst looked, or how much potential Nephon showed, or how excited the Capitol was to see how Zane fared. He always switched the channel when the reporters mentioned his name. However, he wasn’t always fast enough; sometimes words like “waste of talent,” “disappointment,” and “losing bet” accompanied his picture.

The stares of the other Tributes were especially harsh this morning. In truth, nothing may have been different, but Trint felt their eyes more today. He couldn’t explain it, but even the repetitive motion of lifting weights was doing nothing to calm his nerves. The only option seemed to be to run. So Trinton escaped to one of the few places he felt safe: the Tribute Lounge.

He found the room deserted. With a sigh of relief, he picked up a plate and selected a few pieces of fruit. Fruit was the one luxury Trint was allowing himself. It was a rarity in District Seven, but something he had always enjoyed. However, he wasn’t a fan of the extreme superfluity of the life of a Tribute. As such, fruit was the one excess he indulged in.

When he sat at a table, he was surprised to find that he was in fact not alone. A small girl was sleeping on one of the plush couches across the room from him. A small plate of untouched food lay in front of her. At first, Trint thought she was the daughter of one of the mentors; he had seen Lila’s children running around. However, the glint of the “District 3” on her sleeve belied her Tribute status.

Trint’s brow furrowed. These Games were sick. It was one thing for him to die. He expected it the instant his name was called. But this girl… she looked like she was ten. Of course, she had to be at least twelve, but appearances mattered. She wouldn’t even last as long as he would. She couldn’t fend for herself. Some of the weapons in the training center, that he could wield if he chose to, were taller than she was. How was she even expected to survive the Cornucopia, much less attack another person?

It was best to let her sleep. She needed it. If she was going to survive in the Arena, she wouldn’t be getting any there. Trint turned his back to her and began silently eating his fruit.

[zaryaofdistrict3-blog]

Zarya wasn't sure when she fell asleep.  She had gone into the lounge looking for toast, but when she got there she found more food than she had ever imagined.  All more intricate and more delicious-looking than anything that she knew about.  And without thinking she took a plate and piled lots of different food on it before sitting down on the couch.  However looking at all the different edibles she suddenly grew nervous.  Zarya had no idea if she was allowed to take this much food, or if she was supposed to eat it at all....so instead she just stared at the plate, hoping that it wouldn't get her in trouble.  But in staring she got bored....and the next thing that she knew she had rolled off the couch and landed on the ground.

The fall startled her, as she quickly looked around the room to see if anyone was there.  Almost instantly her eyes fell on one of the other tributes, though he wasn't looking at her.  And maybe that was a good thing.  He was one of the older boys....tall and probably strong. And Zarya had no need to find out how strong, and she knew that if she hid she probably would be able to never find out. Slowly she tried to get up before hitting her head on the table that was right next to where she had tumbled onto the floor.

"Owww..." she groaned before slapping her hand over her mouth. Zarya watched the other tribute, hoping that he didn't hear her.  But if he did, she hoped that he at least wouldn't be mean.