𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔 ⤷ the hunger games .

[ 𝒊𝒗. ] LEAVE IT BEHIND

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four.
「 LEAVE IT BEHIND 」

She always thought she'd feel more pressure on the stage of the games, but as literally all eyes in the district are on her, she doesn't feel anything at all. As she was taught, she lifts her head confidently and lets a carefully chosen grin tug at her mouth as the cameras zoom around the stage she's on. The Capitol loves their confident killers, she's to play the role she's meant to play. Based on the cameras whizzing around her, she's playing it up well. She can only imagine what the viewers are thinking, what the other tributes will think as they watch her reaping,

"That's the kind of passion we need in the games," Genesis says into the microphone after sending Dalia a satisfied wink. "She displays as much strength as she does fire, don't you all agree?"

The crowd cheers, more from the boys and the adults than the girls. She can spot a couple of teenagers holding their broken limbs and their fingers crimson from holding freshly opened wounds. Dalia is untouched, body unscathed and unphased by the scuffles she had to get to the stage. She nods at Genesis, shooting an encapturing glance at one of the cameras as it flies in close to her.

"What's your name, darling?" Genesis asks, pulling her to the microphone. "Don't be shy."   

"Idalia Steelbrand," she says smoothly, stepping back to the side and folding her hands behind her back.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl," she says into the microphone before announcing it's time for the boys.

Dalia's posture changes on its own as Genesis starts to make a similar show out of choosing the boys. Her back straightens, chest out as her long, toned legs move to a power stance. She hopes she looks as lithe as she feels, she prays that the Capitol is liking her.

Scanning the boy's crowd as Genesis slowly lifts a slip of paper, she struggles to find Eros. She finally finds him as Genesis reaches the podium. Unaware of what to think, he looks more confused than heartbroken, but Dalia can tell from the way he's standing that he's planning on making a move to volunteer. She shakes her head once at him as Genesis reads the boy's name, a silent signal as she brings her hands to her front and flattens out her hand at her waist.

Twelve years of training together is long enough for him to understand exactly what she means and his body relaxes visibly. He fades into the crowd as another series of fights break out and she can finally feel something. Regret sprouts from the base of her back, spreading up through her back and throughout her body. She can feel its spiny vines wrapping tightly around her throat as the fights continue, eyes prickling from the threat of tears.

Aegis, as expected, wins the battle in the end. He steps out unphased and unharmed, effortlessly beautiful as he marches toward the stage. "I volunteer as tribute!" He repeats the words of Dalia, walking up to the stage and sending her a brief glance before a handsome smile graces his lips.