In which a young woman with darkness in her soul finds serenity with the Capitol's golden boy.
finnick odair x fem!oc
catching fire - mockingjay: part 2
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The day of the Reaping arrives only one week later.
All too soon, Diana Ember, Porter Millicent Tripp, and Darius Fleur are escorted to the front of the Justice Building by Peacekeepers, all of District Five awaiting them. The three Victors walk in somber silence, their heads held high, their expressions perfectly neutral. They have already given up so much. They will not give the Capitol or President Snow the satisfaction of tears.
Diana immediately spots her mother and brother in the front of the crowd, her eyes locked on Jackson's fearful ones for as long as possible before her gaze is forced ahead. She, Darius, and Porter all make their way up the steps to the podium where District Five Escort Hazelle is awaiting them. For the first time in the six years that Diana has known her, Hazelle is stoic. The Victor realizes quickly that Hazelle is grieving, too. She has been by the Victors' side for years and she has, against all odds, become a part of their very small family. And now, it is her job once again to sign their death sentences.
Diana and Porter take their places to Hazelle's left, looking out into the crowd. Darius does the same to Hazelle's right.
"Welcome, welcome," the Escort speaks up, smiling as much as she can and attempting to make her voice sound as cheery as usual. But Capitolians have never been good at acting; they have never had to be. "Welcome as we celebrate the 75th anniversary and Third Quarter Quell of the Hunger Games. As always... ladies first."
Diana hears Hazelle's voice waver and feels the older woman's sad eyes on her, but does not acknowledge the Escort. She holds no ill will toward Hazelle. She simply knows that if she makes eye contact, her composure will crumble. Similarly, she avoids her family's heartbroken gazes, choosing to look straight ahead.
Hazelle approaches the glass bowl on the female Victors' side where two pieces of paper rest, as if ridiculing their survival. Hazelle's manicured fingers reach into the bowl, delicately grasping one of the pieces before she makes her way back to the center of the stage.
"The female Tribute from District Five is..." Hazelle unfolds the piece of paper, forcing her hands not to tremble as she reads the name out loud, "Porter Millicent Tripp."
Diana doesn't breathe. She feels Porter tense beside her. She sees her mother and brother slump in relief.
Porter won the 38th Hunger Games, over 30 years before Diana won her own Games.
Porter is now 55 years old. She is a mother of three and a grandmother of four, with a fifth grandchild on the way.
Porter broke her neck in the finale of her Games. She has lived with a spinal injury ever since.
Porter will never make it.
Porter was her mentor.
Porter is her friend.
"I volunteer as Tribute," Diana's voice is strong, almost confident, although she does not realize that she spoke until the words made it past her lips. Her hand is clamped around Porter's wrist, preventing the older woman from stepping forward. Diana has no idea when she grabbed on to her friend, but her grip is as tight and sure as ever.
