D I S T R I C T 1 2
JAY MELLARK
To the Capitol
Jay couldn't help it. Her hands were shaking, her heart was racing. Was this...was this excitement? She felt as though she should be disgusted with herself, but she couldn't help it. Katniss had told her children tales of the Great Train to the capitol...it's gleaming glass windows, the shimmering chandeliers, the mahogany tables. Effie had always been proud of that deep red wood, since 12's train to the capitol was the only one to have some left. It had died out many, many years ago but a small pocket of people in the capitol had engineered enough of the tree's DNA to farm it again, and although it was rare, money could buy it. Katniss had told Jay about the food. Oh the food! The stews, the casserole's, the bread rolls. The whole journey, though ultimately one to her death, was one that Jay had dreamed about. It sure lived up to expectations.
As Feather led Jay and Zac onto the train and into the lounge car, Jay marveled at the appearance. Fancy. The seats were even comfier than the ones Katniss had described. But, as Jay settled down and watched the train pull away from the station, even the downy feathers that stuffed the cushions couldn't distract Jay from the true situation. Sure enough, just as Effie was rumoured to, Feather sat opposite and prattled on about how great the train was, the Capitol and the supporting team that they'd be meeting 'oh so soon!' Jay simply reached over to her brother, next to her, and held his hand. She refused to look at him, since she knew that chances are, only one of them would be taking the return trip home. Jay locked her fingers with Zac's, his strength resonating in just his hand. He was just like their father...
Eventually, the door to the bar car puffed open, hissing a protest as it's commander leaned in the frame. Feather suddenly looked flustered and stood up, adjusting her breasts in her tight fitting dress and blushing even under those golden tattoos. "Jay, Zachary, meet your mentor...Haymitch Abernathy." He was still alive?! Jay couldn't help but sound her surprise. He was their parent's mentor and everyone had lost contact with him, believed him dead. Probably killed by the Capitol for his idiotic behaviour. Though, in truth, he was simply trying to bury his Hunger Games. Jay felt a flash of optimism run through her veins and warm her heart. He had helped them win before. But this time...something was strange. Haymitch approached the table, but there was no swearing. No slurring. And, he walked in a straight line. He was sobre! "Haymitch?" Jay questioned, standing up out of respect. Feather beamed a smile, her cheeks looking ever pinker, "Haymitch has been in rehab!" she burst out, clapping her hands with glee. Someone's got a tiny bit of a crush...Jay rolled her eyes. "It seems to have worked," she stated, arching a slim eyebrow. "You don't seem like the same man..."
Jay held her hand out. "Jay Mellark," she stated, smiling .... somewhat warmly. "Take it in darlin', i'm no capitol big-wig. You two sprats better just tell me you're like your parents."
JAY MELLARK
To the Capitol
Jay couldn't help it. Her hands were shaking, her heart was racing. Was this...was this excitement? She felt as though she should be disgusted with herself, but she couldn't help it. Katniss had told her children tales of the Great Train to the capitol...it's gleaming glass windows, the shimmering chandeliers, the mahogany tables. Effie had always been proud of that deep red wood, since 12's train to the capitol was the only one to have some left. It had died out many, many years ago but a small pocket of people in the capitol had engineered enough of the tree's DNA to farm it again, and although it was rare, money could buy it. Katniss had told Jay about the food. Oh the food! The stews, the casserole's, the bread rolls. The whole journey, though ultimately one to her death, was one that Jay had dreamed about. It sure lived up to expectations.
As Feather led Jay and Zac onto the train and into the lounge car, Jay marveled at the appearance. Fancy. The seats were even comfier than the ones Katniss had described. But, as Jay settled down and watched the train pull away from the station, even the downy feathers that stuffed the cushions couldn't distract Jay from the true situation. Sure enough, just as Effie was rumoured to, Feather sat opposite and prattled on about how great the train was, the Capitol and the supporting team that they'd be meeting 'oh so soon!' Jay simply reached over to her brother, next to her, and held his hand. She refused to look at him, since she knew that chances are, only one of them would be taking the return trip home. Jay locked her fingers with Zac's, his strength resonating in just his hand. He was just like their father...
Eventually, the door to the bar car puffed open, hissing a protest as it's commander leaned in the frame. Feather suddenly looked flustered and stood up, adjusting her breasts in her tight fitting dress and blushing even under those golden tattoos. "Jay, Zachary, meet your mentor...Haymitch Abernathy." He was still alive?! Jay couldn't help but sound her surprise. He was their parent's mentor and everyone had lost contact with him, believed him dead. Probably killed by the Capitol for his idiotic behaviour. Though, in truth, he was simply trying to bury his Hunger Games. Jay felt a flash of optimism run through her veins and warm her heart. He had helped them win before. But this time...something was strange. Haymitch approached the table, but there was no swearing. No slurring. And, he walked in a straight line. He was sobre! "Haymitch?" Jay questioned, standing up out of respect. Feather beamed a smile, her cheeks looking ever pinker, "Haymitch has been in rehab!" she burst out, clapping her hands with glee. Someone's got a tiny bit of a crush...Jay rolled her eyes. "It seems to have worked," she stated, arching a slim eyebrow. "You don't seem like the same man..."
Jay held her hand out. "Jay Mellark," she stated, smiling .... somewhat warmly. "Take it in darlin', i'm no capitol big-wig. You two sprats better just tell me you're like your parents."