I Bet On Losing Dogs

Chapter 1

There's a certain smell that comes with luxury.

Not the smell of rose petals or scented oils that lace the showers of the Capitol Nothing juvenile like the whimsical air of chocolate fountains floating through a party or small whiffs of perfume in the ladies bathrooms of the Academy. It is the smell of security. The type of smell that only grows on people when the realisation dawns on them that they have everything they shall ever want in life. And that nothing shall ever be able to take it from them.

Dottifer Cordially lives for the smell of luxury.

Everything has been leading up to the letter clasped graciously in her hands as she makes her way up the stone staircase, Trill's arm laced with hers.

There are cameras flashing in every direction in a beautiful storm of appraisal she's been dreaming about ever since her mother first tucked her into her crimson red blazer and skirt. The Initiation Party is only the second largest event within The Capitol, the first place obviously being reserved for the ever-beloved Hunger Games. The festivity is about as close to the celebrations of the reaping as Capitol Citizens get to experience. The moment where Academy graduates are debuted to the public and their placements within The Games are officially revealed.

"It won't kill you to smile." She taunts through gritted teeth to her friend and fellow Valedictorian as they look towards Caesar at the top of the staircase, making announcements for the students proceeding them. Dottifer doesn't take too much notice of her uncle's theatrical chatter. She knows that most of the students proceeding her will go into notable positions but nothing of true weight in the games, usually Game Makers if a student shows enough intellectual promise or a member of a style team for one of the average scoring districts. One time, a poor graduate a few years above her was assigned as the newest escort for District 12. Dottifer shudders the thought away, that would never be her. She had the smell of luxury, and the weight of her name to ensure that could never be her.

"I'll smile when they finally reveal our spots." Trill snarks back, sternly nodding towards a heckle of photographers along the side lines. He's dressed as finely as she's ever seen him, the typical academy uniform now ditched for an intricate web of navy blue and gold feathers that has been cleverly crafted into a suit. Blending in nicely with his newest graduation addition, the wing like tattoos along his cheekbones. It had become the latest trend and it has never been like Trill Hawkpetal had turned down a chance to show off his family name. Dottifer had been drawn to Hawk within their first moments at The Academy. Surely not in the way the her other female dorm mates had been, giggling about his long red locks in the late hours of night, but as an alliance. It hadn't taken long for both of them to recognise the other had something to offer to their legacy within The Academy. Trill's stone cold feedback sharpening her endless creativity while her own names and connections gave him a platform to secure his footing within the extravagance of the whole system. Ever since then the two had become interlinked in their success, all coming together for one last moment of intertwined glory.

"Last but not least, let's hear it for the tied female and male Valedictorian of the Academy class of 63." Uncle Caesar rings out with his raucous laugh, everyone along the sides of the carpet hooting and howling. They both stand before him, partially blinded by the reflection of light from his jacket but both far too polite to refute anything other than the positions they are designated to by the crew. "Trill Hawkpetal. It's been a while since we've seen you and family on our screens. I think everyone across the capitol will be delighted to see you take this honour tonight." She can feel Trill's muscle tighten at the mention of his family's past. Back when the Hawkpetal name had a pot to piss in it was almost impossible to miss his father's face on billboards or tv segments. Ever since his hushed exit from the President's inner circle no one had dared to mention the name in public, that is until today.