[ Rose's Reaping ]

Instructions

┅⑅┅⑅┅⑅┅⑅┅⑅┅⑅┅ The reaping. It was just another day in Rose's life. Utterly dull and uneventful, not worth a single bit of her precious time. Every time it was the same thing, over and over again. /Nothing/ interesting ever happened during it, and Rose didn't see the use if nothing interesting occurred. However, this /was/ her first time participating in it, so something was bound to happen. She just didn't know what. But what she did know was that she looked stunning. Her marvelous red dress glistened in the bright sun, perfectly illuminating its beauty. The dress, though primarily red, was dotted with blue flowers and lined with green seams. As she walked with her mom and older brother, she flaunted the dress to passersby heading to the reaping, exhibiting the dress with an exquisite twirl. Her mom wore a plain white gown, nearly opposite what Rose was wearing. While Rose didn't see the appeal, she had to admit that the dress suited her mother well. As they wandered through the streets of District 5, Rose bounced in her steps. "I can't wait!" she gushed out loudly to anyone who could be listening. Strangers gave her a cold glare, but Rose didn't care. It wasn't unwanted attention; in fact, she quite liked it. /Maybe I'll even get chosen for the games. That'll put me at the center of attention./ However, as fantastic as that sounded, Rose didn't have a death wish. The chances of a twelve-year-old surviving the games were slim at best. At worst, nearly impossible. Still, she could picture it, and it was a sight to behold. She victorious, roses at her paws. She triumphant, the center of attention. All the districts, even at the Capitol, /everywhere/. What a dream. But participating in The Hunger Games had drawbacks. Deadly drawbacks. She likely wouldn't make it out alive. That wasn't ideal, to put it lightly. So Rose formulated a plan, spinning it until it was just right. When she was older, she would volunteer. Not only would this place her in The Hunger Games, but Rose would also save a poor, helpless soul. This was a promise, one that she intended to keep. A sudden squeeze of her paw drew her back from her reverie. She looked up, expecting to see her mom but found herself staring into the warm eyes of her older brother. /Romeo./ This was a pleasant surprise, as Romeo and Rose drifted apart after their father died around three years ago. "You'll be okay," he said in his comforting, deep voice, coupled with an equally calming smile, "You'll be okay," he repeated, "I promise lil' Sis." Rose gave him a wide-eyed look, slight tears forming at the edges of her blue and green eyes. "Thank you!" she sniffed, flinging herself at him. Romeo let out a surprised grunt as she embraced him. Rose gazed at her brother with admiration and adoration. /If anyone deserves to be reaped, it's him./ She wouldn't even be jealous. "You're amazing!" Rose beamed at her older brother. By now, they had reached their destination. Unfortunately, Rose couldn't see much, not from the back. Her eyes instead scoured the television gazing at them with wonder. Then the reaping began. A man in a monotone voice, whom Rose never bothered to learn the name of, began reciting the introduction. When, at long last, he started calling the names, Rose was no longer listening. "Käse Zimmer." "Lazuli Sage." "Lapis Lazuli Alba." "Rose Maelyn Thorne." "Cactus Sandra Hopedweller." "Alaric Ruby." /What./ That couldn't be- her name- but there was no way. In her shock, Rose's gaze flitted to her mom. Although her vision was blurry, she saw her mom tremble in fear. Her breath came out fast, hot and shallow. Tears filled her multi-colored eyes, blurring her eyesight further. Was she shaking now too? Rose couldn't tell. Sniffling back some tears, she watched the crowd react, unquestionably upset that a twelve-year-old was reaped, though it wasn't a unique sight. Why wouldn't you stand for me? Anyone! Please. Her heart sank. She was, undoubtedly, a poor, unfortunate soul in need of saving. Why won't anyone play the hero? Not a single soul stood up for Rose. She glanced at her brother, hot fury now evident in her gaze. /You promised./ She could feel her eyes convey the message, see the unmistakable hurt in her brother's gaze. He wouldn't do anything. Not once, not ever. Romeo averted his gaze, slipping his eyes away from Rose's. Fine, then so be it. The peacemakers inched closer, perhaps aspiring to take Rose away from the crowd. That wasn't going to happen. She'd go on her terms. She stalked off, whispering one final thing to her brother, "I trusted you, and you betrayed me. Remember that." Romeo flinched helplessly, and Rose felt a surge of hope. Was he going to volunteer? Alas, Romeo pressed his mouth into a thin line. /Fine. So be it./ Rose walked to the podium, head held high, tail tall, posture erect. The fire burning through her turned into a cold determination. Rose knew that if she won, no- when she won- she would never talk to him again. [+]