Together [The Hunger Games Fanfiction]

District One || Hair Gel and Purple Bears

“Listen, dad. I just don’t understand why the Center is closed today, especially because it’s today! Today should be the day they get in last-minute training, not a day off- without discipline they slack off, you and I both know that! Especially if someone else volunteers like last year, even though I told him he couldn’t, and that he should’ve let Daniel go. Do you really want that happening again?” The gruff voice echoed around the home, an evident tinge of aggravation lacing his voice.

The Miadan household was one of frequent arguments and loud talking; though that was largely due in part that Ludovic and his father were perhaps the spitting image of each other. Today was no different, Ludovic’s shout coming from upstairs while his father was, like always, at the opposite side of the house.

“For the last time, Ludo, I can’t hear you shouting up there! Come down and get some breakfast anyway.” The cycle was bound to continue as Ludovic’s father yelled from the kitchen, a slightly deeper voice that was somehow both full of annoyance and condescension at the same time, a skill only mastered by his countless years at the training Centre.

Upstairs, however, was a different story. Ludovic’s room was located directly atop the large staircase that was almost always decorated with some sort of ornament on the railing, the colour usually pertaining to the latest Capitol style. The house itself was spotless, a pristine white with nothing out of place due to unexpected guests and visitors always dropping by the esteemed “Midas Household”. Spotless, that was, unless you counted Ludovic’s room. While his room was big, it didn’t account for the countless posters and sheets that adorned his barely recognizable blue walls. Posters of past tributes, and ranking; along with posters informing Ludovic every morning when he woke up that the machete was different than the axe due to the grip and versatility in different scenarios. However, perhaps the most defining feature, and the one he certainly was most proud of, was the sheet that covered the entirety of the wall near his door, which held an entire list of trainees from the Training Centre, along with their statistics, including himself. Occasionally people were crossed off, big red or orange marker streaking down their line to indicate their withdrawal (the wimps), their death (the idiots), and the Victors of the Reaping tournament (which, he grinned, was marked with his name).

Ludovic grinned at the sheet- today was the day. Yes, having the Training Centre open was very important; however he didn’t feel like arguing with his father over such a trivial matter, considering that unless some idiot decided to take his place he was going to hold the rightful and honorable spot of Tribute and Victor. Turning to walk out of his room, he gripped the doorknob, adjusting his bright electric blue suit- the latest trend in the Capitol. He looked good- his muscles were showing through his sleeves when he flexed them ever so slightly to the left, and while his hair wasn’t the best yet, he presented himself with a cheeky smile, congratulating himself on looking so great. He made a mental note to make sure he was at the front of the eighteen-year-old pen in order to be noticed best- though of course, it wouldn’t be hard to notice him.

Stepping out of his room, he walked into the bathroom beside his room, the large porcelain tub and stone sink the highlights of his mother’s pride. He walked up to the mirror above the sink, his socked feet quiet against the marble floor. Turning his face from side to side, he nodded to himself, settling on just fixing his hair. Ten gel-filled and meticulously applied minutes of hair styling later, and Ludo stared at himself in the mirror, admiring his work- his hair sticking straight up in what was like a buzz cut, yet somehow more enthralling and seducing, only accentuated by his wondrous blue eyes that he took great pride in. he truly was his father’s son, and he was prepared to bring home glory and fame to his already well-off family.

He clambered down the staircase, walking into the kitchen to the smell of the typical Reaping meal- an assortment of meats and eggs and bread, yet this year there was more too, due to his victory at the reaping tournament.