"May the odds be ever in your favor..." [Semi-Private]

[lem~]

[VM to join]
Chai Anderson
[They/She/He|Lesbian|Non-binary]
The odds are never in our favor

Those were my thoughts as I stood in my nicest dress. District 12 was a nightmare. Our clothes and body were usually dirty and we could barely afford food. I has 5 older brothers who all made it through the reaping and so far I had to. This was my final year and if I wasn't picked...I'd be safe.

I felt my girlfriend, Ginger, squeeze my hand. That was one good thing about district 12, that the LGBTQIA+ youth are very openly accepted. My brother and his husband are happily married. I don't know how the other districts go about it but I know the capital is a bit iffy about it.

"Now, we will start!" The capital person announced "Ladies first!"

She paused to pull the card.

"Chai Anderson!" She yelled and all eyes were on me.

After what felt like ages of silence, I started walking.

"NO! NO! DONT GO PLEASE!" I heard Ginger yelling. I didn't look back but I knew she was running through the crowd.

 

"Shut it girl!" I heard a guard yell followed by the cracked of a whip hitting someone and gasps from the crowd.

I was escorted into the hall to say goodbye to my family and friends.

My family came in, my mother sobbing. My brothers and their partners came as well to wish me luck.

"Ginger is being healed...She told me to give you this..." My brother-in-law said, handing me a pink heart pendant as well as a love letter from Ginger.

"Win for us and win for Ginger!" My dad said, hugging my mom.

I nodded and they escorted me to the train with the other district tributes and their mentors and announcers.

I watched as we pulled away from the station and I saw Ginger, Ginger's moms, her sister, my brothers and my parents waving and holding up the 3 fingers.

[ @sock ]

[sock]

Originally Posted by ~'Atlas-The-Lemon'~

[VM to join]
Chai Anderson
[They/She/He|Lesbian|Non-binary]
The odds are never in our favor

Those were my thoughts as I stood in my nicest dress. District 12 was a nightmare. Our clothes and body were usually dirty and we could barely afford food. I has 5 older brothers who all made it through the reaping and so far I had to. This was my final year and if I wasn't picked...I'd be safe.

I felt my girlfriend, Ginger, squeeze my hand. That was one good thing about district 12, that the LGBTQIA+ youth are very openly accepted. My brother and his husband are happily married. I don't know how the other districts go about it but I know the capital is a bit iffy about it.

"Now, we will start!" The capital person announced "Ladies first!"

She paused to pull the card.

"Chai Anderson!" She yelled and all eyes were on me.

After what felt like ages of silence, I started walking.

"NO! NO! DONT GO PLEASE!" I heard Ginger yelling. I didn't look back but I knew she was running through the crowd.

 

"Shut it girl!" I heard a guard yell followed by the cracked of a whip hitting someone and gasps from the crowd.

I was escorted into the hall to say goodbye to my family and friends.

My family came in, my mother sobbing. My brothers and their partners came as well to wish me luck.

"Ginger is being healed...She told me to give you this..." My brother-in-law said, handing me a pink heart pendant as well as a love letter from Ginger.

"Win for us and win for Ginger!" My dad said, hugging my mom.

I nodded and they escorted me to the train with the other district tributes and their mentors and announcers.

I watched as we pulled away from the station and I saw Ginger, Ginger's moms, her sister, my brothers and my parents waving and holding up the 3 fingers.

[ @sock ]

Osmand "Ozzie" Ashberry
they/them || 16

I still cradle my pricked finger as I'm ushered into the area of boys. I absolutely resent the Reaping, and not for the reason most people might think. I hate it because it's a full day of being bullied and misgendered. District 4 has never been very fond of my identity. I can feel my curly brown hair springing out of the binds of gel I'd used to smooth it down earlier.

I ignore the whispers and laughs from the boys around me as the announcer from the Capitol steps up onto the stage. I entirely space out as I hear all the yearly rambling, off in my own world. I wonder who'll be called this year, I think, silvery-blue eyes drifting through the crowd of children and teens around me.

I don't even notice when my name is called.

I see the crowd staring at me, the boys making a path from me to the stage, and the announcer has to call my name a second time before I resurface from my absent state. Numbly, hands tingling, I force my planted feet to trudge forward, up to the stage.

It's all a blur from there.

I shake a hand, say goodbyes (only my mother comes), and then I'm herded to the train where I see the other tributes. I try to go unnoticed, running down the hall and to my room so I don't have to mingle. That's when I notice what's clutched in my hand. It's a note, written by my mother. The small slip of paper has two words scrawled in cursive. Good luck!

I set it down carefully on my pillow, and pull off my uncomfortable formal wear, changing into a simple tunic and overalls. I throw myself onto my bed, pull the covers over my head, and try to process what's happening.

I've been chosen to compete in the games. I'm going to the Capitol. I'm going to die. I should have told my Mom that I love her. I'm never going home.

The thoughts bounce around inside my head, and I vaguely realize that I'm crying.

[c1nder]

Aurora "Rory" Raptor
Lesbian [Un-outted] // Demigirl [un-outted]

There is no chance of me Surviving

- @~'Atlas-The-Lemon'~ - @sock

That was my last thought before I was ushered away.

My name was called. Sure the first few Districts were trained young to fight but she was brittle from the start.

I'm screaming. I don't want to go. I'm dying. There is no chance I survive.

The next few days were nothing but a blur.

My stylist, who seemed fascinated by history told me something about how there were things called "Mockingbirds" and "Blue Jays" maybe he was insane. But what district had won again, last year?

The thing I'm best at is running and hiding. Friends are a no-go.

[lem~]

Chai Anderson
[They/She/He|Lesbian]
I am sobbing in my room by the time I finish reading Ginger's letter. I looked at the pink heart necklace. It was her favorite.

After about 30 minutes, dinner is called to be ready.

I pull myself together and walk out. I vaguely remember District 5's victory last year.

I pull out a chair at the largest feast and table I have ever seen.

[ @sock - @Peach ]
[I random number generated the winning district from last year]

[sock]

Ozzie

I don't want to go to dinner. I don't want to go to the Hunger Games. I don't want to die. But, reluctantly, I drag myself out of bed, splash my face with some cold water from the sink, and head out to the giant table. I pull out a chair next to somebody I don't know. They look like they're from District 12, but I don't bother to ask. I can see the girl from my district on the other side of the table, talking with other tributes. It makes me feel sick.

I realize that maybe I should be talking too, learning about the enemy, but I just don't think I can. I look down at the table, hands balled into fists around a cloth napkin that I'd picked up at some point. I don't know how much time has passed, but the voices of tributes and mentors are starting to get to me.

I don't know how much more of this I can take.

[ @~'Atlas-The-Lemon'~ - @Peach ]

[lem~]

Originally Posted by sock

Ozzie

I don't want to go to dinner. I don't want to go to the Hunger Games. I don't want to die. But, reluctantly, I drag myself out of bed, splash my face with some cold water from the sink, and head out to the giant table. I pull out a chair next to somebody I don't know. They look like they're from District 12, but I don't bother to ask. I can see the girl from my district on the other side of the table, talking with other tributes. It makes me feel sick.

I realize that maybe I should be talking too, learning about the enemy, but I just don't think I can. I look down at the table, hands balled into fists around a cloth napkin that I'd picked up at some point. I don't know how much time has passed, but the voices of tributes and mentors are starting to get to me.

I don't know how much more of this I can take.

[ @~'Atlas-The-Lemon'~ - @Peach ]

Chai
I glance over at the person next to me.

"Hi...I'm Chai..." I say, grumpily.

I clutch my heart necklace subconsciously.

[sock]

Originally Posted by ~'Atlas-The-Lemon'~

Chai
I glance over at the person next to me.

"Hi...I'm Chai..." I say, grumpily.

I clutch my heart necklace subconsciously.

I jump, involuntarily, when I hear an unexpected voice at my side. It's the District 12 tribute. I call myself down, passing the cloth napkin from hand to hand, and try to find my voice. I haven't spoken since my name was called, and I think I might have to keep it that way.

So, I manage a little wave, and then stare at the table with the cold hard look of embarrassment in my eyes.

I hope that didn't come off as rude or something.

[lem~]

Originally Posted by sock

I jump, involuntarily, when I hear an unexpected voice at my side. It's the District 12 tribute. I call myself down, passing the cloth napkin from hand to hand, and try to find my voice. I haven't spoken since my name was called, and I think I might have to keep it that way.

So, I manage a little wave, and then stare at the table with the cold hard look of embarrassment in my eyes.

I hope that didn't come off as rude or something.

Chai
I finally snap.

"This is stupid!" I yell and I get up and go to my room.

"Stupid games! I'm going to die and NEVER see Ginger again, aren't I!?" I say to myself.

[sock]

Originally Posted by ~'Atlas-The-Lemon'~

Chai
I finally snap.

"This is stupid!" I yell and I get up and go to my room.

"Stupid games! I'm going to die and NEVER see Ginger again, aren't I!?" I say to myself.

I flinch, again, and think this is my fault. I watch the tribute storm off, and I think about following them. It's probably a bad idea... But I stand up too, glance at the table of staring people, and speed-walk after the person from District 12.

I knock once on the door, and make sure it's very quiet. I don't want to disturb them. "U-uh, h-hey..." I croak, voice hoarse. "It's uhm... I-it's me, from the table," I explain quietly, leaning against the door frame, fidgeting with my hands.

"I-i'm sorry..." I don't exactly know what I'm apologizing for, but it sounds sincere.

[lem~]

Originally Posted by sock

I flinch, again, and think this is my fault. I watch the tribute storm off, and I think about following them. It's probably a bad idea... But I stand up too, glance at the table of staring people, and speed-walk after the person from District 12.

I knock once on the door, and make sure it's very quiet. I don't want to disturb them. "U-uh, h-hey..." I croak, voice hoarse. "It's uhm... I-it's me, from the table," I explain quietly, leaning against the door frame, fidgeting with my hands.

"I-i'm sorry..." I don't exactly know what I'm apologizing for, but it sounds sincere.

Chai
"You didn't do anything wrong!" I say and open the door.

"I just miss everyone...especially Ginger..." I say, and I have no idea why.