001. may the odds be ever in your favour

Emerald lives her life in flashbacks, the events of the past holding more weight on the way she carries herself over what's happening in the now. Every time her eyes close, even for a mere second, she sees that boy from District Two as he chokes on his own blood. The colour red splashes her dreams, her nightmares and even just everyday reality. A glimpse of glass is enough to send her spiraling at times, the teenage girl unable to distinguish District Eight from her Games.

Her mother, being the ever so kind woman that she is, had told her that Emerald is much too dramatical. That her screams of pure terror are nothing more than a nuisance which disturbs both her and the rest of the Victors living around them. It's a cruel and unjust way of saying that she doesn't care for her daughter or what she's been through, but she is still perfectly happy to live in Emerald's lavish home and spend her winnings. In some ways, she thinks this woman had traumatized her much more than the Games ever could, adding onto the suffering she is experiencing. 

District Eight may be her home and Jewel may be her mother, but neither of them bring her any comfort. If anything, that simply cause her more issues.

The only thing that does bring her comfort, ironically, is the sound of a sewing machine. Before she'd been forced to fight for her life in a twisted game of cat and mouse, Emerald hated the idea of working in textiles for the rest of her life. There would be endless days of stitching and sewing items of clothing for the rich folk in the Capitol, using whatever leftover material available in order to provide for the Districts.

It most certainly would've been her future, accompanied by sleepless nights and shaky hands. She had that now in a way, but this life is so much worse. Emerald wouldn't struggle to sleep, she wouldn't hope for a night of fearless slumber on her broken old mattress. Instead, she has endless nightmares whilst laying on the luxurious bed that came with her victory. Her life wouldn't be a never ending loop of pain and torturous thoughts.

In an odd way, the brunette misses the old, beat up mattress that was on the floor of the living room. It wasn't comfortable by any means, but it was her's. This bed, the one she lays in right now, belongs to the Capitol just like her life does.

And she despises it.

A sharp knock on her bedroom door draws in her attention, the sound much too loud to be because of her mother. The woman, whilst not really all that old, has begun to grow rather frail with age. Years of textile work and malnutrition have managed to alter the way her mother lives, Jewel now much too dependent on the eighteen year old girl for her liking.

"Emerald! Darling, your presence is required in the District Town Centre. The newest victors are arriving in mere minutes. Chop, chop!"

Tye Lovelace's melodic voice flows through the air without resistance, her tone full of cheer and a happiness that Emerald doesn't think she's ever felt. It's safe to say that the woman is an acquired taste, especially in the District, but Emerald doesn't mind her too much. She's merely doing the job she'd been assigned to do, pick names out of a large glass bowl and send children to their doom — she'd been the same woman to pull out Emerald's name that day.

"I'll be just a second," Emerald calls back softly, putting down her book and pushing herself off the bed. She'd already gotten dressed a while ago, putting on a comfortable dress that reaches just to her knees and a black cardigan that one of the girls in the District had knitted her as a way of saying congratulations.

Slipping her feet into a pair of slightly heeled shoes, the brunette pushes a stray piece of her long brown hair behind her ear. Hopefully, the outfit will get Tye's seal of approval, or she will never hear the end of it.

Opening the door, she's greeted by an eccentrically dressed woman. A long dress that shines in the sunlight that's streaming through the window, each diamond reflecting a different colour onto her beige walls. Tye's black locks of hair are strategically twisted into a beautifully crafted low bun.

"Hello, love," Tye greets, pressing a kiss to both of the girls cheeks. Emerald responds with a small smile, unable to muster up much more when she knows she will be faking all day. "We must be going,"

The woman claps her hands in order to display the urgent nature of their task, Tye is a pretty big stickler for being on time. She hates tardiness, and when she'd been their escort for the games, she made sure Emerald and Francisco were everywhere on time.

"I didn't know you were coming," Emerald speaks as the two walk the streets of District Eight, her hands crunched into fists. "Phoenix never mentioned it,"

"Yes, well, somebody has to keep you log in check. This is a very important ceremony and I simply can't have it destroyed by Silas' blunt words or Phoenix's somewhat erratic behavior," Tye responds.

People around the District look at them as they pass, offering up a smile for their most recent Victor. There's a certain happiness amongst the crowd today, one that is quite unusual for a district which has lost both tributes. Emerald knows exactly why though, her home has been simmering with rebellion for quite some time now, and Katniss Everdeen is the symbol they've been waiting for.

Emerald wouldn't publicly admit it, due to the likely consequences of it, but she greatly admires the two tributes from District Twelve. The way they were able to stand up to the Capitol, how they were able to risk their lives because they didn't want to hurt the other. Plenty of tributes would have stuck their knife in the back of their partner without a moment of hesitation just so they could win and go home. These two, well they are different.

Emerald severely doubts their actions were meant to spark rumblings amongst Panem, but it's exactly what it has done. Knowing President Snow, there will likely be repercussions as well.

"I heard that you would be stepping up for River today," Tye sparks up conversation again, eyes flicking over to the younger girl who nods her head. "That is very lovely of you,"

River's life had been in her hands, the sixteen year old girl with frizzy auburn coloured hair and chocolate brown eyes. Emerald sees the girl in her nightmares, managing to escape from the initial bloodbath before dying a horrible death at the hands of a bloodthirsty career pack simply for trying to keep warm — for following advice that Emerald had given her before she went in. "If you seek warmth, build yourself a fire,"

That one sentence had stuck with the girl, and in turn caused District Eight to lose their only remaining tribute as her male counterpart, Marcus, had been lost earlier on. Neither of them lasted passed the first day, and it haunts her every moment of the every day.

"She has no family left," Emerald's voice is soft, sympathetic even as she thinks about the fact that she will be the only one standing on that platform for the girl. "It's the least I can do for her,"

Due to the closeness in age, they were more like friends than mentor and mentee. She had tried her best to make the poor girl feel at home, helping her settle in as best as she could and make sure she was kept distracted so she wouldn't be plagued by thoughts of home. It often didn't work, and she would wake to a crying River at her bedroom door in the middle of the night.

"Well dear, she would most certainly appreciate it,"

Tye is trying her hardest to reassure the brunette, and whilst it's greatly appreciated, it doesn't ease any of the guilt or pain she's feeling. No matter what she does for the girl today, River is still dead — she's still gone.

The District Square is already full to the brim with people, young and old alike. The large screens at the back are already lit up, the faces of the two fallen tributes on display for all to see. Emerald walks by the platform where Marcus' family stands, and older woman being comforted by a younger one. They both look at the Victor as she walks by, the older of the two even managing to muster up a shaky smile for the girl who had been with their boy mere hours before he passed. Emerald lifts a trembling hand in greeting before continuing on her walk to the platform where she will stand.

She stops in her tracks, the noise around her muffling slightly, as she stares at the picture. It's one that was taken in the Capitol, that they used when her image was projected in the sky after her death. It's a lot nicer the the way everybody last saw her, laid out with blood all over her torso. The way the careers had taken such pleasure in her murder, it's a gruesome detail she remembers often, and Emerald is very glad it's not one of them standing on the stage today.

Tye's hands gently land on her shoulders, giving them a reassuring squeeze. Emerald looks up at her one final time before finally climbing the steps to find her place on River's platform, deciding that she can no longer look at her picture.

The crowd is beginning to grow antsy, almost desperate to see the faces that could bring change to their lives. District Eight has always been a rather dreary and miserable place, one that could most certainly use some alteration. For a town that makes such fancy and fashionable clothes for the Capitol, ones that are doused in bright colours, it's so dull here.

"Ladies and gentlemen,"

Emerald eyes the Mayor as he makes his way up onto the stage, all of the District's former victors following behind him. She had gained permission to stand up here and had even been supported in her idea which she is thankful for.

"Today we gather in celebration of Panem's newest victors, and also honour and remember those that we lost as well. So please, welcome Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark of District Twelve!"

The people of District Eight applaud the pair as they come on stage wearing that all too familiar fake smile. Emerald had been wearing the same expression for the last two years of her life, pretending to love the face she survived a viscous game.

"We are united, as Panem is united," Peeta begins, his tone exuding confidence. "Our love has opened our eyes to the greatness of our country. Love illuminates the truth, just as it can obscure it. We have acted blindly, influenced by delirium of our passion, but thanks to our everlasting love we now see the perfection of our ultimate reality,"

It's such a manufactured speech, but it is spoken so beautifully that even she has a hard time with separating their words from what they've been told to say. Emerald saw what happened in District Eleven only a few days ago, and it had been a lot different from what she is seeing here.

"We exult in the incredibly and beautifully overwhelming size of our love. We are so happy and fortunate to be able to share our love with you," Peter finishes his card and steps out of the way, allowing Katniss to move forward.

Emerald notices the way Katniss' eyes seem to travel from her to the other family. "We also want to share with you the sorrow of your losses. The tributes of this District were great and noble warriors. They brought great honour to their families and pride to their people. We are all united, the victors and the vanquished in serving a common purpose. The power and glory of the Capitol,"

The last part holds a very similar meaning to what she had spoken the year before, she probably said these words right in front of the two teenagers on stage.

"Panem today
               
Panem tomorrow

Panem forever,"

The crowd almost erupts into cheers at their speech, the two of them leaning over to kiss one another. Maybe it's due to the fact she's been through it herself, or maybe she's just awfully perceptive, but it is obvious to her that these two are not even close to believing those words. Their actions are forced, needed in order to help make sure Snow and the Capitol don't suspect anything is up.

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are the spark this world needs, and Emerald hopes they burn it to the ground.

NOTE!

Thank you for reading, this story will be a little slower than my previous ones and build up to catching fire rather than jumping straight in. I hope you enjoyed, and I hope to see you next time!