Hey! Sorry I haven't posted. My art coursework was due so that had to take priority. I am still currently busy but I should be able to start writing again! I'd appreciate it if you could reread the episodes. If you don't want to that's fine also!
IDEA 1: A L I E N- Most likely one 1 or 2 seasons.
Havana is a city on another planet that has been recently built to colonise a new planet. However, the atmosphere is still be terraformed to be breathable, so transit cars are the main transport system between larger structures. Not only is it a place for work, but a place of paradise for tourists to visit in deep space. However, they are in serious competition with a deep space adrift civilisation called Methuselah. Havana is accused of 'stealing' their tourists and profit and Methusala are threatened and scared for the future of their business. A few months later, Weyland Yutani marshals appear in Havana, supposedly resolving any official issues associated with Methuselah. Suddenly, people begin to go missing on the station. Communications and any transportation is put on lockdown by Weyland-Yutani corporation.
Then, there is a quarantine failure, and something unheard of, unseen and unimaginable breaks lose. Havan members fight for their lives. Fight each other for survival. There isn't enough food to go around, and there is no escape from the planet. Every day, there is less and less people in the city. Anarchy arises as there is now law to guide them. Worst of all, they are not alone as a creature stalk them all, picking them off. One by one.
INSPIRATION: Allien franchise, Alien: Isolation
IDEA 2: CHILDREN OF THE SUN- Featuring many seasons. At least 5?
One random, irrelevant, normal day, the sun loses it's flair. Over time, the Earth grows colder. Food cannot grow. Animals cannot eat. The world as we know it transforms into a tundra of death. Over the span of years, decades, the entire world falls into anarchy, fighting for survival in the barren, cold wasteland. (Imagine Mad Max but cold instead).
IDEA 3: X-MEN (although it will not be called this)- Featuring many seasons. At least 3?
In a world where humans are evolving into greater beings. They hold the power to what the average human being could never achieve. For some, it is a gift. For others, it is a curse. How will these characters interact with society? Their powers will form relationships, or destroy them. Some humans will help them but some will oppose them. Some will use their powers for good. Others will use their powers for evil. Will their powers be the beginning of something? Or the end of something?
IDEA 4: H A L O- Featuring many seasons. At least 3?
The U.N.S.C (United Stations Space Command) has been at war with an alien alliance called the Covenant for decades. Hundreds of planets have been lost in the war, as well as uncountable lives. But one day, a strange ring is discovered. But it is not ordinary ring. The size of a planet, the ring is artificially made by a legendary extinct race called the Forerunners, hosting plants, breathable air and life. The Covenant believe the rings to be of sacred value, that will lead them onto the path of The Great Journey. But the Forerunners knew what they wrought, and the halo is not what it seems to be and holds a secret deep down that is best to never be revealed or all shall perish. (I think this series would have many characters. Like 40-50. The major characters would get tagged, and the others hashtagged, but all readers will be mailed so no one misses and episode. This is because the nature of this story would require a lot of characters, imo).
INSPIRATION: The Halo franchise.
Can you please tell me which ones you like the sound of!? I do not plan to do a series any time soon, but in the summer once I finish school and am no longer neck deep in school work. Please, give me an essay if you like on why you like/ don't like the sounds of these ideas! Just so you know, I love to stay true to the originals, so I will try to get capture the fantasy worlds as best as possible for those who are fans.
Please also mention if you'd like to be a part of these when I do eventually start one of them.
TRIBUTES in order of likelihood to win:
Katherine (D9F)
Mason (D2M)
Wheaton (D9M)
Garnet (D2F)
Danny (D4M)
Thorne (D8F)
Diamond (D1M)
Cleopatra (D5F)
Coral (D4F)
Glitter (D1F)
Thunder (D5M)
Cole (D12M)
Bloom (D11F)
Rose (D12F)
Echo (D3M)
Willow (D7F)
Blunt (D11M)
Dawn (D6F)
Kyle (D6M)
Birch (D7M)
Runaway (D10M)
Pork (D8M)
Meat (D10F)
Dayta (D3F)
DISTRICTS in order of likelihood to win:
District 9
District 2
District 4
District 1
District 5
District 12
District 11
District 8
District 7
District 6
District 3
District 10
After every major event where the tribute encounter with the audience (e.g., The Parade, Training Scores, Interview), the chances will be updated!
“Welcome!” The famous host of the Hunger Games, Seracius Applegate screams to the viewers at the Tribute Parade, and at home, “and welcome to this year’s annual Hunger Games!” As usual, he is wearing a dark blue tuxedo with white lapel and laced boots. This year, his hair was dyed icy blue and was spiked upwards, but with his natural black roots shining through obviously.
“Today, I have with me the very special, one and only, Xyrus Fontaine!” Xyrus was the additional host to the Hunger Games. He was a little younger than Seracius, and not quite as wise. Xyrus would always do the hosting job to his full potential, but he didn’t realise how dangerous the situation was, as Seracius did. Many game makers had been ‘silenced’ for their supposed heretic behaviour towards the capital, even if it was a mistake. Anyway, Seracius was the primary host, who would interview the tributes. Xyrus often simply sits in silence.
Both Seracius and Xyrus sat on luxurious, bright yellow arm chairs. They were seated in the highest, most advantageous area out of all the other Panem citizens. Not only this, but they had a highly pixelated projector by them so they could see every detail of the tributes appearance and costume, despite being so far away.
The tributes had not exited onto the streets of the capital, but were being decorated and dressed by their prep teams and main stylists. Some tributes were simply waiting around for the event to begin, as they were already dressed. Garnet and Mason were clearly observing the District 9 tributes, Katherine and Wheaton. They were considering inviting them into the career pack alliance, but Mason had intelligently suggested to wait until training.
“Anyone can volunteer, Garnet. They could be hopeless,” Mason spoke. Garnet listened, but did not react, and simply continued observing the District 9 tributes. Katherine and Wheaton were still getting prepared, with their prep team placing yellow, orange and white dyed necklaces, bracelets and anklets onto their bodies with delicacy. Katherine and Wheaton still not close at all, but after Wheaton had argued that nobody wins against the capital, she was beginning to have faith in his intelligence.
Wheaton and Garnet catch eye contact. Garnet’s perches her lips and waves seductively at Wheaton from across the large, empty, concrete room. She used her eyes to communicate to him, they appeared very wide and appealing. Until Katherine steps in the way, her back facing Garnet.
“What are you doing?” Katherine questions, standing close to Wheaton, blocking his communication to Garnet.
“Nothing. She was just…”
“I know what she was doing,” Katherine hisses. Despite the close proximity, Katherine was not looking in his direction.
“Fucking Jealous whore,” Garnet grits her teeth, giving up hope on flirting with Wheaton.
“So I have heard, Seracius,” Xyrus smiles overly in his seat, “that we have already received $8,000 worth of sponsorship, simply from the tributes exiting the train!”
“God all mighty!” Seracius laughs, “that is immense!”
“Some viewers in Panem are curious to know your thoughts on the tributes based on the reapings,” Xyrus smiles again, keeping eye contact with the camera while he held a device to his ear, listening to anyone incoming directives.
“Well, we cannot ignore the courageous District 9 tributes! That Wheaton seems like an utter sweetheart! Volunteering himself all in favour of a poorly boy,” Seracius frowns.
“We cannot forget District 1 female, Glitter! Who indeed fought one of the volunteer girls from her district! It appears we may have a broken District this year, Seracius!”
“And Blunt! District 11 boy…” Xyrus brings up. But Seracius and himself had both been told repeatedly not to retell the event Blunt had with the escort during his reaping. In the footage shown to the citizens, the moment where Blunt punches the escort had been cut. Seracius interrupts impatiently.
“No, he was nothing special!” Seracius laughs nervously, “but we have many strong tributes this year! Many volunteers!”
“Yes indeed,” Xyrus grins.
“And here they come now! I can hardly hold my excitement!”
The traditional banging of the African drums by the kerb of the Panem streets begins in rhythm. The crowd of potential sponsors breaks into hysterics and cheers as the first chariot is rolled out, containing the District 1 tributes, Glitter and Diamond.
“Glitter and Diamond. Both volunteers and careers,” Xyrus states.
“Yes, yes! I love their outfits. The coloured jewels! I need some clothes like that!” Seracius laughs.
Glitter and Diamond link arms in their chariot as it rockets down the cobbled streets of Panem. Diamond holds his chin up high, as if the audience are beneath him, while Glitter twitches with excitement and cuddles up to Diamond’s shoulder, appearing innocent and valuable.
“Why it looks like they are making an impression!” Xyrus states.
“Yes they are indeed! I’m not surprised! She’s probably holding on for dear life! Look at the speed of that chariot!”
After about 20 seconds, the second career district, District 2, roles out into the sunlight. Immediately the crowd go wild as Garnet and Mason bend down to shake the hands of the audience. Their chariot is purposefully going slower than District 1’s for this reason. Some of the crowd try to pull Mason into the audience, but his big, hulking body maintains itself on the unsteady chariot. Garnet even kisses her hand and presses it to one guy's cheek, who literally cries. This man looked very rich and wealthy.
“Just got a sponsor,” Garnet whispers into Mason’s ear.
“I love the outfit! I just love it! Lots of greys, but sometimes less is more. And the grey highlight the colours that are used!” Seracius squeals.
“District 2 always step the game up every year. They always bring something new.”
“That is true speaking right there!” Seracius replies.
“Also, Mason and Garnet are the district ranked most likely to win as of yet with chances of 3-1 and 5-1,” Xyrus adds.
District 3 follows District 2. Echo was waving boldly to his audience. Echo was no longer that irrelevant 16-year-old from District 3, but he was ‘ECHO, District 3 tribute’! Maybe he wasn’t as famous as District 1 or 2, but he got a few wild cheers and apparently the receiver of a few sponsorships already. What made him prouder was thinking about his bullies, and how belittled they must feel by him now. Dayta seemed nervous. She was only 12, of course. Death was the only thing imprinted on her mind, and what was held in the future. She waved as an ordinary tribute did, but her nerves are clearly showing through to the audience.
“Well, she is clearly not a favourite among Panem,” Xyrus Fontaine states coldly, readjusting his blonde hair.
“Now, let us give her a fair chance Xyrus! Their costumes are impressive! She may even score high in training.”
“I am doubtful of those chances. I believe the odds are not in her favour.”
District 4 roll out shortly after.
“Ahh, the District 4 boy still looks a little unhealthy. Poor boy, you know Xyrus, there has been another Typhoid epidemic in District 4,”
“Yes, I heard Seracius.”
But the audience became frantic for District 4. They barely wore any clothes at all; the majority of their costume was netting so much of their bodies were revealed. In essence, Panem loved seeing their tributes naked. It was very rare and put them very high on the list of favouritism.
“My, my. That boy is packing down there, isn’t he?” Seracius laughs.
“Seracius, don’t be so rude!”
“What, the audience love it! I certainly love a sneaky peek at our ‘real’ tributes,” Seracius creepily states. Danny continues to try and hold back the symptoms of his illness. If he appears weak, he might not receive sponsors!
It was District 5’s entrance, and nothing was too spectacular about it. Bolts only hung from their outfits. Both Cleopatra and Thunder look straight ahead. The crowd barely kick up a fuss.
“Not too spectacular, this one,” Seracius sighs, disappointed.
“Ready?” Thunder whispers into Cleopatra’s ear. She nods. In Cleopatra’s hand, she has an empty plug socket attached to her dress by a wire. Thunder holds the plug that fits the socket.
“Wait, wait, hang on a second! What is that in their hands?” Seracius ponders, leaning in closer to his projectors. Cleopatra and Thunder connect the plug and the socket, and their bolts hanging from their dress spark and flame in blue lightning bolts that explode across the street and sky.
The crowd are initially stunned silent, some even fearful of the electricity. But then Panem frantically cries out to District 5, wanting to touch them, sponsor them, meet them in person. District 5 had become Panem’s hero and heroine.
“I’M LOST. LOST FOR WORDS,” Seracius chokes through a frozen face.
“There goes hope for the other districts,” Xyrus grins, watching the performance of sparks below, on the streets.
Cleopatra bends down onto one knee and begins blowing kisses with her bright, red lips to the audience members, and they all catch the kiss as if it was personal as if Cleopatra loved them indeed. Meanwhile, Thunder winked at the females in the audience, often raising one eyebrow to them. Flirting with them. Teasing them.
“Well, well! We have a young flirt in the mix!” Seracius laughs, enjoying the show.
“Yes, Yes. Many sponsors indeed,” Xyrus smiles.
Cleopatra and Thunder appear on the banners that hang down the streets, and their dazzling show remains on the banners for a few more chariots as it was that marvellous.
When District 6 followed District 5, there was no competition compared to District 5. Dawn and Kyle’s costumes were colourful, bright and attractive, but nothing special. That was until Kyle swing Dawn around in his arms, as a husband would with his newly wedded bride. It reflected their funny and silly personality, and the District 6 tributes appeared a lot of fun to Panem.
“What’s the fucking point,” Kyle whispers through his smile, “no one could follow that performance.”
“Be confident. Don’t dwell…” She whispers back, smiling and laughing, revealing teeth as she is swung around in Kyle’s arms.
“Well isn’t that cute!” Seracius smiles at the sight of what looks like young love. It wasn’t, it was an act. They were District friends, not lovers. But whatever brought them attention. But, they are thrown a flower by an audience member. And Dawn manages to catch it while in Kyle’s arm. Dawn gets flashbacks to her food fight with Kyle and playfully throws it in his face, and the crowd awed.
The siblings from District 7 were not impressive.
“Don’t they dress as trees every year?” Xyrus asks Seracius.
“Yes, it does seem to be a rather tedious trend,” Seracius responds, clearly disappointed too. Their costumes were very bland and colourless. They were very much blended into their chariot as they just waved and looked ahead. There was no grand plan for winning the audience over, it seemed. Birch waved and smiled, as every tribute did. But Willow had an angry look on her face the entire time. Willow was clearly a disliked tribute.
“My, my. What a face,” Seracius frowns from the audience.
“Willow, smile!” Birch hisses. Willow listens, but it is a blunt smile that doesn’t convince many others. The only thing that made them popular among Panem was the fact they were siblings in the same game. This had never happened before.
When District 8 rolled out onto the streets of Panem, the girl, Thorne, had the same spite-filled look on her face.
“The tributes this year seem furious,” Seracius notices, appearing uneasy. As if Thorne, at any moment, would destroy her chariot and slaughter the crowd.
“At least the costume is nice,” Xyrus tries to smile, “very reflective of District 8.”
But Thorne’s hatred and pride combined with her beautiful textured dress; the crowd loved her. Almost us much as the District 5 tributes! She presented herself as a goddess, a force not to be reckoned with. Thorne would often catch eye contact with a citizen of Panem. Thorne would simply stare, and her victim would nearly faint in the excitement that that District 8 girl had looked at them. Thorne hated the attention. She felt as if the entire continent was mocking her purpose. She was clearly not royalty. She was a tribute, a sacrifice dressed pretty.
Pork, on the other hand, was shy and sad. It was evident to Thorne that he was openly crying. She could hear the sobbing and the skin around his eyes had irritated into a shade of red. He was not a favourite anyway, but this act wasn’t noticeable.
“Stop crying,” Thorne bluntly states. Pork tried to be brave. He missed his home back in District 8, being from a wealthy family; he was well fed, and that was clear from appearance.
“I’m trying,” Pork sobs, wiping the tears, giving the occasional wave to the crowd. But it was no use. He was insecure. He knew he was probably disliked for his weight.
District 9 was already receiving cheers before their chariot had even entered daylight.
“WHEATERINE! WHEATERINE! WHEATERINE!” Panem chanted repeatedly.
“Wheaterine?” Katherine subtly asks under her breathe.
“It’s a combination of our-“
“I know that. I’m not thick,” Katherine squalls, “why ‘Wheaterine?’” Wheaton, not wanting to trigger Katherine once again, only shrugs. If he answered right, she’d play the victim card. If he answered wrong, she would burst into anger. There was no winning. But he presumed it was because they are the legendary District 9 volunteers.
“Xyrus, I love their outfits! I must say! Very faithful to the nature of District 9!” Seracius chirped.
“Yes, yes. The orange face paint is a nice touch indeed! The bland colours work well together,” Xyrus responds with a broad smile.
Katherine and Wheaton stood very far apart within the chariot, and they had noticed that the chanting had begun to cool, and it needed to be pro again.
“We should put a hand on each other’s shoulder,” Wheaton suggests intelligently.
“Think again,” Katherine moans, focusing her attention directly ahead.
“If you want to survive the Hunger Games, it’s more than just killing,” Wheaton explains under his breath, “you may hate the entire world, but right now they love you. If you want to see your family again, then put your fucking hand on my-“
She slams her fist down onto Wheaton’s shoulder, and he winces in pain. He puts his hand around her waist, and they appear united. The crowd go insane, and they replace the District 5 tributes on the banners.
“WHEATERINE! WHEATERINE! WHEATERINE!” They all chant again. Hearing this repeatedly arouses a slight smile on Katherine’s face. She was a favourite.
Meat and Runaway arrive on their chariot. But all the attention is hogged by the District 9 tributes ahead.
“Is anyone going to notice District 10-“ Seracius is interrupted.
“Wow! The District 9 tributes have just unified! That is so inspiring!” Xyrus cheers. Seracius was attempting to give the District 10 tributes the attention they deserved, but it was with fail.
“District 9 scum,” Meat mumbles under her breath. The individuals that in fact saw the District 10 tributes were impressed by the costumes, but the District 9 shadow of fame over-casted them. Runaway stood there, smiled, and waved. He had decided there was no way to flee or escape, so embraced his fate of entering the arena. So he gave it a shot at trying to get himself some sponsors. He leant down and his hands slapped past some of the Panem citizen’s hands. For the capital to touch a tribute is considered gold dust. That would surely get him some sponsors.
But when the District 11 tributes rolled out onto the streets, their costumes did not entirely make sense.
“Is the orang supposed to represent… peach? I think peaches…” Seracius ponders.
“I don’t like it,” Xyrus declares.
“Now, now! Let us see what else they do,” Seracius scolds, continuing to watch the District 11 tributes. But Panem was not impressed either. Bloom was not usually an angry person, but she was not content with Blunt. She guessed that their stylist was ordered to make their costumes weak by the capital in order to get back at Blunt’s scene involving the escort at the reaping. Blunt stood motionless, unaware and careless of what to do. Bloom decided she wasn’t going to let Blunt drag her down with him. She had to think quickly, do something that has never been done to save her skin. That is when she took off her headset (which was a fluffy, colourful flower) and tossed it to the audience. Those who caught it where over the moon. Bloom began ripping parts of her costume apart and tossing them to the audience as tokens.
“One for you! One for you!” She announced, smiling. Although quite crude, it was working. It was getting her attention, and making her the favourites of a few individuals. Considering the situation she had been put in by Blunt, she felt was she was making do.
“Oh my goodness! What a sight! Has any tribute ever done this before?” Xyrus asks intently.
“I don’t believe so. Let’s hope it don’t snow or she’ll be freezing, ha ha!” Seracius laughs.
“And finally, District 12, may the final chariot commence!” Seracius announces, while Xyrus’ beady eyes watch, not missing any detail.
Rose was already a favourite among Panem. Her smile lit up the entire crowd, and warmed their souls. Her pure innocence was overwhelming and captured their hearts. She was thrown flowers, which she smelled delightfully, before keeping them and mouthing ‘thankyou’ to the donor. Rose must have been one of the only tributes who was truly loving this moment. All she received was love from her audience, and she returned it through her eyes and smile.
Cole, on the other hand, was simple in his nature. Although Rose was only being herself, herself was enough to gain sponsors. Cole was antisocial and aggressive. His eyes darted around the crowd as people jeered on his costume.
“What a sweet girl! Rose, is it?” Seracius questions, “I believe it is Rose! How sweet! I just want to hug her!”
“The boy seems rather dull,” Xyrus states as Cole appears almost out of place.
“Not all tributes are built for the tribute parade. Maybe his skills lie within the interview and training!”
All the chariots had presented the tributes, allowing them their few minutes of fame. Peacekeepers then guided the chariots in the direction of the training centre and living quarters. Dirty looks were exchanged between tributes afterwards. Many of Panem rushed immediately to nearby betting stations on betting on their favourite tribute or rush to their mentors to make a sponsorship already.
“Well that was an event and a half, was it not, Xyrus?” Seracius smiles as the streets below begin to empty of people.
“It was indeed, Seracius,” Xyrus returns a smile.
“I think it is safe that this year is a fascinating mix of tributes. All so different! In a range of ways!”
Xyrus nods to that comment. “May the odds be ever in their favour.”
Please comment! If you comment, I'll know your reading and I'm less likely to kill you :P
Next Episode: "Make Me Strong"
TRIBUTES in order of likelihood to win:
Mason (D2M)
Diamond (D1M)
Garnet (D2F)
Danny (D4M)
Katherine (D9F)
Cole (D12M)
Glitter (D1F)
Wheaton (D9M)
Coral (D4F)
Willow (7F)
Blunt (D11M)
Thorne (D8F)
Echo (D3M)
Birch (D7M)
Kyle (D6M)
Dawn (D6F)
Bloom (D11F)
Cleopatra (D5F)
Runaway (D10M)
Thunder (D5M)
Meat (D10F)
Pork (D8M)
Dayta (D3F)
Rose (D12F)
DISTRICTS in order of likelihood to win:
District 2
District 1
District 9
District 4
District 7
District 11
District 6
District 8
District 5
District 12
District 3
District 10
I would just like to make it aware that because your chances are lower, does not mean you are going to die immediately. It may in a lot of cases, but not all of them! A career may not win, and Dayta and Rose may not die first, or even in the bloodbath.
(BTW, from now one I'm just going to pretend that there are no mentor or escort characters. I may make references to them, but they won't have any speech or stuff like that. They'll just be a concept).
The train was over 40 carriages long. Each district included a 'living room' of sorts. They contained luxurious blue arm chairs, with reflective, shiny metal coffee tables. The biggest of which flipped into a chess table. On one of the coffee tables was a projector which projected a hologram onto the wall where the tributes could watch any Panem show they wanted. The walls were a mixture of wooden panels and dark blue wallpaper that contained the pattern of roses. At the back of these carriages were mahogany dining tables, accompanying six blue chairs. For each district, there was at least four consisting the team: the two tributes, their escort and their mentor, but some districts had more than one mentor. Mentors had previously won the game, possibly even decades ago.
The second carriage for each district was a long, narrow hallway that was much taller than it was wide. People could barely squeeze sideways past each other. Off this stemmed bedrooms for the members of each district. The bedrooms were quite luxurious, with the blue theme. But small, and only single beds, a mirror and wardrobes occupied them. A bathroom was also squeezed onto this carriage.
In between each carriage was a spare one, usually occupied by peacekeepers, to make sure no tributes attempt to cross to another district's section, and game makers, trying to get a first look at the tributes to help design the Games.
There were some extra random carriages for supplies, cooling tributes meals, control rooms, etc.
DISTRICT 8 CARRIAGE:
Thorne took the first leap of faith onto the train and was surprised at the softness of the carpet, the shine of the metal, and... that amazing smell. It smelt like... fresh food! She was blissfully surprised, to begin with. Then Pork followed her onto the train and at the smell of fresh produce his greedy mouth begun to water immediatley. It smelt like his parent's bakery, so he already felt at home.
"Where is that smell coming from?" Pork whispered in delight. But Thorne did not reply back. She was too busy absorbing the atmosphere of the train. The colours, the food, the luxurious treatment. Over time, she found it ridiculous. Mocking! The capital knew why she was on this train; PANEM knew why she was on this train. To die, so why pretend she is royalty. Again, to prove that she is the property of the capital. All of a sudden, she realised the boy spoke. She couldn't even remember his name. She didn't particularly want to befriend him anyway. He was overweight, useless, spoilt. What use would he have been to her? She also simply just wasn't in the mood for conversation.
"We're already moving!" Pork gasps, surprised, running to the glass window. Shades of green and occasional structures were zooming past and out of view in milliseconds. Neither of them felt a single vibration.
DISTRICT 1 CARRIAGE:
As the train torpedoed down the tracks (or more like hovering above them), Glitter and Diamond were having some fun with fashion.
"How do I look?" Glitter smiles, then perching her lips into a kissing position, poking her bum outwards. Glitter wore a skin-tight red dress decorated with feathery ribbon hanging from the bottom. She also had a lot of makeup on with red lipstick and long eyelashes. She had pulled it all from the wardrobe in her bedroom. They both stand in the cramped hallway.
"You look just a Panem prostitute!" Diamond jokes. He knew Glitter was only having some fun, but he didn't appreciate it. They had just been reaped, they should be distraught.
"That's not funny. Everyone in District 1 thinks that's why I want to win,"
"You know it's not true. Screw them. They don't get to be here, you do!"
This produces an enormous grin on Glitter's face, and then she walks suggestively over to Diamond, stroking him up and down with her index finger.
"Do I look hot? I want to look my best for the capital,"
"I'm getting uncomfortable now, Glitter. We're friends."
"You're right, that did feel weird. Sorry. I know I look good anyway," she goes back into her bedroom and stares herself down in the mirror.
Diamond simply rethinks back to the story his mother told him of his father: how his father died in cold-blood in the arena. He wasn't murdered, but rather dehydrated for days, and was never sponsored a thing. By remembering this, it's easy to keep focus on what the show is really all about.
DISTRICT 11 CARRIAGE:
Bloom sat with discipline on one of the blue armchair's gazing out the window. Blunt sits opposite her, in another armchair, and places a metal tray of flavours and vodka on the coffee table between them. Blunt begins helping himself, mixing flavours, and Bloom's eyes continuously wander from the window, to the drinks and back, until she must ask.
"What was all that about?"
"What." Blunt responds.
"Punching the escort. That's only going to get you killed," Bloom states.
"How?"
"The capital create the Games, remember?" She continues "You just punched one of their escorts in the face." Bloom continues to gaze out the window, looking at the bright blue rivers and lakes that zoom past.
"I wasn't going to survive anyway,"
"Is that right?" Bloom murmurs immediately after, "I think you stood a chance. And you still didn't answer my question."
"I hated my parents okay? I wanted them dead. By punching her, that will hopefully happen. I don't care what happens to me." While Blunt explains, his facial expression does not change, and his pace in mixing drinks does not waver. Bloom sensed this to be true.
"I'm sorry you feel that way."
"Do you care to take anything off the trolly?" A capital member asks, pushing a trolly past their seating area. It was jam-packed with sweets of red, yellow and blue and baked goods smothered in cinnamon, icing and edible glitter.
"For us?" Bloom chokes, her eyes watering. She'd never been offered something so tasty for free. She only wished her starving family could be here. They would have loved this. Maybe this part of the show wasn't too bad.
"I'm good," Blunt states.
DISTRICT 6 CARRIAGE:
The dining table was engulfed in sweet wrappers and crums, while Dawn and Kyle rubbed their stomachs.
"Why doesn't this suck yet," Kyle asks.
"They're making us fat first," Dawn responds. Somehow, they both find savage irony in their current joy, considering the situation.
"What, like the witch in Hansel and Gretel?"
"That's what they are, witches!" Dawn laughs "let's stone them."
They both giggle, but Kyle holds a finger to his lips.
"Shh! That could get you in trouble Dawn!" But she changes the subject.
"Didn't we used to be friends?" Dawn asks.
"When we were little, I think so, yeah."
"What happened to us then?"
"Same as everyone," Kyle explains, "we started working. I worked with my dad, you with your mum. The reaping scares you into not having friends."
The conversation took a serious tone, but Dawn wasn't going to let herself or Kyle get any further depressed. She grabs a handful of jam filled lemon doughnuts and tosses them at Kyle, and they explode over his shirt.
"What was that for!"
"Lighten up," she giggles "it's the Hunger Games!"
"And may the odds be in your fucking favour!" He laughs, and he returns fire and a splash of sugar and powder imprint on her face and her.
"Who's going to clean this up?" Kyle asks.
"Meh, what are they going to do, kill us?" Dawn smiles deviously. They were going to die anyway. Most likely.
DISTRICT 4 CARRIAGE:
Danny and Coral sit at the mahogany dinning table, each taking a seat opposite eachother. Coral watches the sunset out of the window; colours of orange invade the sky while the members of the kitchen roll out dinner on silver platters.
"It's nice to have something other than fish," Danny smiles, stabbing his fork into every food, trying a bit of everything. He then coughs violently, "it'll be nice to be treated too."
"Yeah," Coral agrees, but blankly. She knew her, and Danny wouldn't ever be friends. He was so set on winning, and killing others. That wasn't for her.
"What's wrong?" He asked. But Danny was treating her like a career tribute, despite the fact she had been reaped. Maybe she would be accepted into the career alliance after all.
"I'm fine," Coral smiles gently, taking small amounts onto her plate. Coral eats fish, unlike Danny. It reminds her of home.
"I know you don't want to be here," Danny states, staring her down. This worries Coral. 'He is catching on' she thought. Coral has to think fast.
"It's because of my sister, Lantis," Coral explains "we just lost our parents a few weeks ago. It's a rather sour time for me to enter the games. Lantis is all on her own now."
It was bullshit. Coral's parents died a long time ago. In reality, Coral was scared, but maybe her lies and quick thinker could get her through the Games! Right now, she just wanted to get through dinner.
"Ah," Danny sighs, "I'm sorry for your loss. May the odds be ever in your favour." And they clink glasses. That was the last thing Coral wanted to hear. The odds were not in her favour. An avox women approaches the dining table and place a light blue tablet before Danny and Coral. A capital T is carved into the powdery tablet.
"But I'm not infected," Coral states.
"They probably think you may have caught it from me. You may have," Danny explains. 'He was smart' she thought. This worried her even more. Danny is good and making educated guesses, so how long could she keep up this lie that she is a career?
DISTRICT 3 CARRIAGE:
Echo and Dayta had flipped one of the coffee tables into a chess board for entertainment. It was dark outside the train, and they were only half way to Panem. Dinner was settling in their stomachs and the awkward sensation between them had began to rest.
"Check," Dayta says.
"You've played before?" Echo asks.
"With my brothers."
"Is it bad to say that I'm glad I was reaped?" He asks again. But Dayta pauses for a moment.
"I wouldn't go telling all the tributes that," Dayta responds.
"Yeah, you're right."
"Why are you glad we are here?"
"I get the chance to prove to everyone I know that I'm worth something. If I can win and go back to District 3 a victor, I would be a legend!" Echo cheers. But then he realises who he is talking to, a 12-year-old. To talk of him winning is talking of her dying.
"I'm sorry," Echo says, looking down. It did hurt her feelings. Dayta had already watched the reapings on the projector, and there was no other tributes who were 12. She was the youngest tribute this year. But Dayta had cried enough today. She wanted to have some fun.
"Let's keep playing. I've almost won," Dayta smiles.
DISTRICT 7 CARRIAGE:
Willow and Birch had been drinking all night. It felt appropriate since they had been reaped only hours ago. It was a must for a Willow to drink. Yes, she was glad to be here, but distraught her brother had followed her into the Games.
"You know," Willow burps, "you know, you know..."
"I know what?" Birch smiles. Birch had been drinking too, but not as much as Willow.
"You could actually win, Birch! You could win, actually..."
"Thanks Willow," but he is unsure of how to respond.
"You can make loads of career buddies," Willow continues, "and then, they'll take you to the end!"
"They'll take us to the end, Willow. I wouldn't leave you! I love you,"
"Aw, I love you too little brother! But still. They won't like me. I'm a cold bitch-"
"Now Willow," he interrupts, "that's not entirely true."
"Yes, it is." She states. The seriousness tone of the conversation had killed her buzz, and she took a seat on one of the blue armchairs that were not overturned. Birch watches her from the over side of the carriage and decides it is best to leave her.
"I'm going to bed. It's a big day tomorrow," Birch states. But Willow stares out the window, her back to Birch. She doesn't give any sign that she was listening.
DISTRICT 5 CARRIAGE:
Cleopatra was in her encased bedroom. There was barely any room to stand, but she rather sat on the bed and watched the scenery outside shoot past in the dark. There wasn't much to see, but it was relaxing, to watch the world go by. She then turned to face the mirror in her bedroom and begun to brush her long, blonde hair.
"Goodnight," Thunder calls from the hallway. Within a few seconds, he is actually visible in the door frame. He was also ready for bed.
"It's hardly good," Cleopatra groans, focusing her attention on herself in the mirror.
"I'm sorry," she says, putting her brush down and giving Thunder the eye contact he deserves. She could tell Thunder was a genuine guy.
"How are you going to approach tomorrow?" Thunder asks, "with the capital?"
"Well," Cleopatra thinks, "I'll just wave and smile to the crowds. What else can I do?"
"Well," Thunder also says, taking a seat on the bed, "I was thinking if we perform some routine. Every tribute waves every year. It might help get us sponsors." Cleopatra thought it was clever.
"What do you propose?"
"You could blow kisses to the audience. I could wink at the girls in the crowd. Take the flirt right out of District 1's hands."
"Won't that piss the careers off?" Cleopatra asks, trying not to make enemies.
"Maybe. But so what?"
"They'll kill us."
"They are planning to anyway. Why do you think they volunteer every year?"
Cleopatra knew he had a point and a plan, a good one. Maybe upsetting District 1 wasn't wise, but they needed to sponsors. Fame wasn't just going to fall to District 5; they needed to claim it for themselves.
"We'll go through it more tomorrow," Cleopatra says. Thunder gives her smiles and goes to his own bedroom.
DISTRICT 9 CARRIAGE:
Wheaton stood in a corn field, frozen as it caught fire before him. Flames reached all the way into the sky. He looked down at his sweaty palms to find his skin was young and, now he thinks of it; he is shorter. Over time, little details unravel themselves to him. This was his cornfield. He used to tend it with his mother and older brother.
"WHEATON!" Echo's repeatedly in his ears, his mother crying for him. He looks back to the fire and sees his mother and brother encased with flames.
"Why did you leave us?" She cries, "why didn't you save use?" But then Wheaton is carried away by peacekeepers into the darkness, while other peacekeepers feed the fire.
"Why did you leave us!?"
Wheaton flies from his bed in a pool of sweat that had gathered on his chest. He looked at the alarm clock beside his bed. It said 3:12 am. It was dark outside still. He realised he was only dreaming, but the events did happen.
"Why did you leave us," Katherine speaks, who had been watching him during his nightmare. She looks down at him as if he is dirt.
"Was I speaking in my sleep?"
"Like a baby," Katherine sighs, making haste to leave his room.
"I lost my family to the capital. I hate them as much as you. I'm the victim!"
"We're all victims," Katherine declares, with slight eyes.
"Don't you have any sympathy?" He asks, "I'm all alone, and I just volunteered to take an innocent boys place."
"So you volunteered for sympathy?" Katherine almost chuckles, "you shouldn't be here. You aren't ready. You're going to die. Me, on the other hand, I still have people who need me."
"Yet you decided to commit suicide by volunteering,"
"This is not suicide!" Katherine hisses, "it's an opportunity! To save my family! To win!"
"You never win against the capital," Wheaton states. This hushed Katherine up. She still looked at Wheaton with bitter eyes, and left in haste to her own room. But she knew, to an extent, he was right. She just did not want to accept it.
DISTRICT 10 CARRIAGE:
The District 10 tributes had been very quiet with each other the previous day, barely saying a word to each other. But it was breakfast, and Meat was the first too the table.
Scrambled eggs, salted and peppered, waffles with honey or cream or sugar or strawberry sauce or chocolate, crispy sizzling slices of bacon with fat all around the edges, dripping in oil. The food was fresh, and she felt at home, at her uncle's butchery. She hoarded the table as she enjoys her temporary feast. Runaway was not as quick to eat. He was too focused on finding a way to win the Games. There was no way he was the strongest tribute; he had accepted that. So he had to play the Games smart.
"Did you see those sausages over there?" Runaway points to them.
"I do now!" Meat claps her hands in joy. Maybe simply being nice was the key to winning. Be a favourite not just among the capital, but the tributes too! But he would need some practice. Runaway was not used to having friends.
On the other hand, Meat had fully endulged herself into the lifestyle of a Panem citizen. She tried all the foods, wore all the clothes and lived like a queen while she could. For the first times in years, she wasn't sad, but happy. She hadn't forgotten why she was here, but she could forget it for now.
DISTRICT 2 CARRIAGE:
Garnet was wearing her traditional headband with jewellery on it that pulled her thick, brown hair behind her ears. She sat alone, in the living room carriage, on a blue sofe that faaced the projector. Her and Mason had just filled their stomachs with breakfast, as she sat snuggled with a light blue blanket.
"Let's watch the reapings," Mason suggests, jumping beside her. Garnet was quite small (but deadly) and the weight of Garnet bounced her into the air.
"Calm it, cowboy," Garnet laughs, handing him the remote.
"Let's see..." Within a few seconds, Mason founds the correct button, and on the wall projected the District 1 reaping. They get to watch the reapings as a Panem citizen would.
They watch as the tribute's (Glitter and Diamond) names are called.
"Why are they always blonde?" Garnet asks, frowning.
"I don't know. Inbred?" They both crack up laughing.
"Do you remember the state of the girl last year?" Garnet laughs so hard, her eyes water.
"With the sores on her mouth?" Mason smiles. Garnet curdles into a ball of laughter, her eyes watering with joy.
"And," Garnet catches her breath, "And the District 1 boy, was his name Mink? Refused to train with her... and the game makers gave her a 4!" Garnet cracked up laughing again, for minutes this time. Although District 1 was their ally, they were also a joke to District 2. But they skip ahead to District 9.
"hmm," Mason shrugs, watching intently.
"They both volunteered?" Garnet looks to Mason, slightly concerned.
"They might just be retarded wanna-bees," Mason suggest, starring at Garnet until she is hit with the giggles again.
DISTRICT 12 CARRIAGE:
"I think we are there!" Rose smiles, gazing out the window. Occasionally, a tree skims her view, but she can see tall, grey structures in the distance. Cole walks over, bending down to her level. She was 14 and he was 18, so he was much taller.
"It's just some random buildings; it might be District 2." But Rose barely hears him. She is magically cast under a spell by the city's radiance and beauty. The structure of the city complimented the natural scenery very well. From the train, she could even see the tall structure in which the tributes are held before the Games.
"Look, that's where we will stay! Doesn't it look amazing, Cole!"
"Yeah, I guess," But he wasn't amazed. The Jews didn't compliment Auschwitz, so why would he compliment Panem?
Then the train enters a tunnel, with lights occasionally illuminating the train, and then bringing it back into darkness once the light has passed.
"We are there! Cole, we are there! The tributes always pass through a tunnel, then at the other end, the train stops!"
At the other end of the tunnel, the train slowls to about 15mph. Rose's face is lit up by the natural sunlight that overlooks the city. All she can see is thousands upon thousands of Panem citizens, patting on the glass window, trying to meet the District 12 tributes. Rose smiles with delight, waving frantically to the citizens who take her gesture as the biggest gift in the world.
"The District 12 girl waved at me!" People in the crowd chanted. Cole stood on the other side of the train, distant from the fame and popularity. But as he watched over Rose, who was just so nice, realised that she would be a capital favourite and was just so... at peace with herself. Maybe Cole needed to be more like Rose in order to survive.
Please comment! If you comment, I'll know your reading and I'm less likely to kill you :P
