Emerald Rosseau

76th TRIBUTE PARADE | EMERALD ROSSEAU

– 👑

She let the dig sail over her shoulder, not hitting the parts of her that might react with emotion to what Emerald was saying. She certainly had wonderful perception. It was empathy and compassion she didn’t give two flying fucks about. But, that wasn’t worth pointing out. Besides, she was really good with feelings. Hiding them was almost as easy as wielding her twin blades at this point. 

“You’re saying that like you’ve been by the Academy since you won. Like, you know, what they teach us past 15 years old. I know you won, Emerald Rosseau. I know you won very young and that you are so talented and are the epitome of the District One ethos. But, I’m not striving to be you. I don’t need your advice because I am better than you.” The venom in her voice was palpable. She was letting the green monster inside of her out, but it didn’t matter. Lux did not need Emerald. Maybe Glitter, but definitely not a girl who already had everything. “I will be the golden child after all of this. So pardon me, if I don’t take your hand and lead me down the path that you walked. I have found a better and grander one.”

Emerald Rosseau certainly didn’t need all of the things she had. Lux would take what she wanted, what she needed and the girl would be fine. 

-

“You say that like I needed to go to the Academy.” Emerald knew it had only been a formality where her mother was concerned. Her training had started when she was just a little girl. She hadn’t known that she was being trained in the beginning because it was fun to play mommy’s games with her, but she had. Her entire life she had been groomed to be another link in the Rosseau family legacy. Emerald had daily one on one trainings sessions with her mother, Glitter, since she could recall. By the time she was fifteen she could out fight and outwit most of their instructors. “Then by all means I’d like to see you prove that.” Emerald told her knowing she shouldn’t take the bait but she couldn’t help it. Her skills were just as sharp now as they were the day she went into that arena if not better considering the assets she had access to.

Emerald crossed her arms. “But by all means if you think you can do this by yourself, go for it.” Luxanna didn’t want her help but that didn’t mean Emerald didn’t hold any cards. “Because that’s what it’ll be, by yourself unless you think Jereme will help you.” She was only one of the Victors in District One but she had the fortune of knowing all of them intimately.

“But this is my territory.” After all, Emerald had never known a time in her life where she hadn’t spent considerable time in the Capitol. These were Sponsors she met growing up and took (albeit a sometimes unhealthy) interest in her life and who she was. She was only eighteen but she had known these people for all of them. “You may have ruled the Academy but we’re not there anymore. Besides, this is my family we’re talking about.” Just like the Capitol she had been raised and grown up with the District One Victors. “Cashmere and Gloss were my babysitters growing up. They mine as well be my brother and sister.” It sure felt like she had two older siblings and she loved them just as much as Sterling. “Then there is my grandfather and my mother...” Arguably the two most influential Victors to ever come out of District One. “Who do you think they’re going to listen to me or you when I tell them you think we’re all worthless and you don’t want our help? That our time and efforts will be much better spent on Jereme...”

“Gifts might come from sponsors but they don’t get to decide when and if you get them in the arena.” Emerald pointed out hating that it had come to this. She didn’t want to be that person but she also wasn’t a little girl anymore. People didn’t just get to walk all over her. She was her mother’s daughter after all. “So, if you want to play these games we can play them. Only I’m not fifteen anymore and you can’t intimidate me.”

“Good luck with Esmerelda because if you think I am green at this, she’s never done it at all.”

She hadn’t wanted to believe that girl from Seven or the way she spoke about Silver.  Ghosts and spirits weren’t real, yet when she was laying in bed that night she knew she couldn’t sleep without looking.  So she did.  There were loose floorboards in the suite, half under a table below a window in the living area.  As a child Glitter had told Silver about her secret hiding spot in the Capitol, the place her father would never find.

So she’d pushed the table out of the way, pried up the floorboard and was stunned to find a ring box and an envelope yellowed with age, her name still legible on the front.  Glitter hadn’t looked in this hiding spot since she was a teenager.  Before her time in the arena.  It never seemed important as a victor.

But now, with the letter and box in her hand, she replaced the floorboards and put the table back.  Glitter curled up on the couch and opened the letter.  By the time she finished reading it, she was in tears.  It was just in case, his promise in the hopes she’d make it out.  Glitter cried for a bit before opening the box to a fresh wave of emotions.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat there on the couch with the letter on the coffee table and ring in her hand when she heard her daughter’s voice.  Glitter turned towards her slightly, grateful to be marginally more composed than she was earlier.  “Yeah,” she admitted softly.  “You could definitely say that.”

-

Emerald nodded because she didn’t know what else to say. Instead she looked at her mom and then the objects she had in her hands. “What do you have?” It was probably none of her business but she was glad to have something to talk about other than how horrible her day had been. Talking to Rory had helped calm her nerves considerably and if she told her mother, she would only worry. Emerald wanted to make her mother proud and prove to her she could do whatever she had to take to get the job done.

“I,” she signed and instead reached for the soft blanket on the back of the couch as she kicked off her shoes. “You know what, I don’t know.” Emerald admitted with a laugh as she waited to see if her mother would share what she was doing or if she needed to try to make more awkward small talk.

“Yeah… I know. Believe it or not, I’ve seen blood before.” Casey had grown up looking after four younger siblings – she had certainly dealt with more than her fair share of cuts and scrapes, some much worse than others, and after a while, she just had to become used to seeing blood and knowing how to deal with it. Though they wouldn’t call themselves an expert in first aid by any stretch of the imagination, they liked to think they knew enough to get by. “It was a joke,” They say, shrugging, “Sorry if you’re unfamiliar with the concept.”

Casey was pretty sure she recognised this girl – though she had never been particularly invested in the Games, it was practically impossible to avoid learning who the Victors were, and she could remember Emerald’s victory quite clearly – it had only been a few years ago, after all. Casey had remembered thinking it was quite cliched for the Victor’s daughter to win, but, it didn’t really affect them either way, and, honestly, they hadn’t thought about those Games since.

“Pretty sure the other tributes already have that idea.” They say – though Casey lacked killer instincts, they’d already started viewing their fellow tributes as competition, and they had no doubt the others were doing the same to her ( though, to Emerald’s tributes, Casey was probably viewed as nothing more than a slight inconvenience standing in between themselves and glory ). She glances down at the stain again, “Probably,” She agrees, “But I’m sure they don’t need my prompting to get right on that.”

Emerald was really starting to wonder why she was even trying anymore with people today. Instead she was quiet as she listened to the girl speak and tried to take in her words without judgement or thought if she was being honest.

“Some of them surely do.” She agreed because it was the truth. Some of them had probably been dreaming about their first kill for a while and were deciding which tribute they wanted it to be. Emerald had known people like that back in her Academy days and even her days as a Tribute.

          it  was  no  surprise  that  cassia  looked  up  to  enobaria.  the  mere  thought  of  ripping  someone’s  throat  out  with  your  own  teeth  makes  her  respect  skyrocket.   dedication  to  the  games  was  something  to  be  proud  of  &  she  was  happy  that  she  was  so  lucky  to  have  people  like  that  mentoring  her.   while  her  first  run - in  with  the  female  wasn’t  the  most  pleasant,  cassia  only  assumed  it  was  a  bad  day.   they  were  young.   not  everyone  would  fuel  them  with  false  hope  about  winning  when  twenty - four  go  in  &  only  one  comes  out. 

          “   i  have.   titus  &  i  are  very  good  friends.   ”     there’s  something  sinister  about  lying  to  a  victor  that  makes  cassia  feel  empowered.   her  &  titus  were  fine,  but  they  weren’t  exactly  best  friends.   at  this  point,  she  wasn’t  even  sure  if  the  alliance  with  him  was  set  in  stone.   it  was  a  coin  toss,  but  she  figured  she’d  get  more  clarity  during  training.   it  seemed  far - off,  but  there  was  so  much  to  do  in  such  a  small  amount  of  time. 

Emerald raised an eyebrow not so sure she believed the girl. She had been to the academy and she doubted people were ever truly friends there. Emerald didn’t even have any so called friends left from her time there. When she had won people had started treating her differently and they still treated her differently.

“I hope it works out for you going in with a good friend.” She said because even good friendships had been ruined by the arena. Emerald didn’t want to think of her own parents but the thought did pass her mind. Besides her ally had been from District Two and she knew she couldn’t have made it without Marshall.

the second garrett stepped off the train from twelve, he wanted to turn around. he wasn’t happy to be there, and he didn’t think he ever would be.

of course, it was beautiful, he wouldn’t deny that. certainly more attractive then anything back in twelve. walking through the golden halls of the tribute tower, he felt more than out of place. he genuinely couldn’t believe his wife had grown up here. mary, where was she now? hopefully somewhere with michael, george, todd, and eliza . eliza had been here just last year. was she with her mother now?

his thoughts are interrupted by someone tapping his shoulder and asking a question, which he totally missed. “sorry, what?”

@thqstarter

-

“Oh, sorry...” Emerald said as she found a different person than she had intended to find. The man looked just like a sponsors she was supposed to be looking for. To be honest, she was glad to find someone that wasn’t a sponsor. Tomorrow was another day and perhaps then she would feel more like doing the things she should be doing.

She gave the man an awkward smile.  “I thought you were someone else.” Okay, this was a little awkward. “I mean, you look a little lost, can I help you?” After all Emerald had grown up here she could help him find wherever it was he was going.

“I am Emerald by the way.”

WHO: Casey & Open WHERE: Tribute Tower WHEN: Pre-parade

Casey had just spent the last two and a half hours ( yes, literally – though it had felt like much, much longer ) being poked and prodded and groomed to an acceptable standard. Their escort had explained on the train ride in that they would need to spend some time in the ‘remake centre’ ( which Casey thought sounded far more sinister than it actually was ) getting her ready to be presentable to a Capitol audience – which Casey thought sounded like absolute garbage, but, at the risk of biting the hand that was currently feeding her, she swallowed her pride, gritted her teeth, and followed their spindly, gangly escort into the centre to be ‘remade’.

They had spent a solid hour trying to scrub away the grease that had long ago become a permanent feature of Casey’s skin – scrubbing it until it became red and raw, digging beneath their fingernails, and brushing tangles and knots from their hair. They’d also taken it upon themselves to remove any stray hairs from every surface of Casey’s body – save for her face and the top of her head ( which she had noted was impractical if they were going to be subjected to cold conditions in the arena – her stylist had just shushed her and instructed the team to continue ).

Emerging at the end of it, Casey couldn’t help but feel as though they were an entirely different person – and not necessarily in a good way. They felt sore and too clean, and the stupid frock they’d dressed her up in felt ridiculous and foreign. The second they’re released from their escort’s clutches, Casey makes a beeline for the food table they’d spotted on their way in, shoving whatever looked the most indulgent into their mouth as soon as they could get their hands on it ( a jam donut caked in powdered sugar ). 

“Yum,” She says to herself as she takes a bite of the sweet ( ignoring the part of her that thinks about how much her little sister would have enjoyed this – they’ll bring some home for Kyva when they win ), barely noticing the jam leaking from the other side of it and landing on her chest. “Whoops,” They say to no one in particular, using their fingers to scoop up the jam and licking it off, still leaving a bright red stain on the front of the brand new dress she’d just been put in. “This is probably a bad omen, right?” They laugh to the closest person. “Already looks like I’ve been stabbed.”

@thqstarter​

-

Emerald couldn’t help but stare a bit at the tribute before her and her actions. Though she was trying to be understanding because she too had been a tribute once. District One had many fine things, especially when you were born to a mother that could afford the best, but lately she had been seeing the other side of her District. Such as the farmer who was so scared that without a new Victor from One and gifts of food he wouldn’t be able to feed his children. The same farmer that had sold her his horse so he could have a monetary reserve just in case.

“Blood isn’t really that color in real life,” Emerald pointed out before frowning and realizing she did not want to go down that path. She did not want to think of blood or she would think of Platinum. She would think of Livia and how she had looked fallen at the hands of the tribute from Four. She would have to think of Marshall’s lifeless body lying on the dias of Anubis staring blankly at the starry sky painted above them...

“Probably shouldn’t give the other tributes that idea though, should you?” Because it really did seem like bad luck to have a red stain on a new dress. “Sure they could help you get it out if you really wanted?”

— ☕️

Her tributes hadn’t been dressed like satellite dishes this year, so Rory called the parade a success. She’d ushered both of them back to their suite and left them to their own devices for the rest of the evening- they weren’t particularly social and Rory mostly warned them to get a good night’s sleep for training the next day. 

She’d just settled in with a cup of hot chocolate and a notebook on her lap to scribble Reaping notes in when she heard a knock on the door. Rory was still in her pajamas, some loose plaid shorts and a sweatshirt from some fancy Capitol boutique that she’d been gifted, and expected to see one of her tributes, or maybe Dawson or Porter. But she was delighted, if not a bit confused, to see Emerald there. 

“I’m always down to adopt a wayward Mentor,” Rory laughed, opening the door wider to beckon her in. “Do you want some hot chocolate? The craziest I think I’m going to get is probably some reruns of that Capitol housewives show, because I’m bored of the Reaping coverage. We can watch absurdly rich women fight over designer shoes.” She sat back down on the bed, tucking her feet up under her. Idly, she ran a finger over the touchscreen beside the bed to change the channel from the ( terrifying ) smiling faces of the tributes from One to some true trash TV. “This is how Soleil and I get away from it all, but I’m happy to extend our little ritual to you,” she says with a smile. “Is everything okay, Em?”

-

Emerald shook her head at the offer. “No thank you,” she told Rory with a soft smile she hoped looked more convincing than it felt. Truthfully she hadn’t been hungry most of the day and if she was it wasn’t for the overly sweet treats she often induldged in at the Capitol. For a moment she contemplating saying she already ate but she didn’t want to lie so she left it out.

Emerald flopped down rather unceremoniously. “Wait, isn’t that normal?” She asked in a dead-serious tone. Part of her was mocking the trashy Capitol television show and part of her was serious. These things weren’t all that uncommon in District One where a lot of the families could afford that luxury. It did seem silly to her in the sense why fight over shoes when you can just go buy a different or new pair?

“I am glad you’re letting me in and the secret,” she told Rory. “What?” She asked not expecting the question that fell on her. “Oh, yeah...” She said instinctively. “Just a bit of a bad day.” Emerald admitted after a moment.

THE REAPING || EMERALD ROSSEAU

“There was once a great winged horse,” Emerald started softly as a smile played on her lips as she recalled the story she had read in one of the many books lining the shelves of the library. “He was a magical creature you see as he was born from immortal blood and possessed great gifts. For his footsteps created the streams, rivers, and lakes that dot the globe,” she continued as her memory soared down a path as familiar as the one that lead to the field she let her horse graze in late at night when she went riding.

“For many years the winged horse roamed the lands wild and free,” not too much unlike a certain someone else she knew. Emerald had to imagine that it was tempting to have so much freedom. You could go anywhere, do anything, and your life would be your own. There would be no one trying to saddle you with expectations and you could never disappoint someone if there were not expectations resting on your shoulders. Ask Atlas, the weight of such things could be crushing.

– 👑

Lux was surprised at the response Emerald gave her. Perhaps she was more like Glitter than Lux thought she was. Still, though, her ‘mentor’ was her age, did not have as much training as her, and thought that fetching her a drink and food was important? How could she possibly take any sort of advice from her? That seemed foolish, even if she somehow made it out at fifteen.

“You would like that wouldn’t you? Wash your hands of me and move onto ‘nicer’ tributes? You’d like me to be a peach, easy to get along with, someone you could parade to your mother as a good, little tribute. I’m not that Emerald. So, get over yourself.”

Watching the Avox approach, she placed her now-finished frappuccino on their tray. “Miss Rosseau seems to think that I don’t know what I am doing.” Lux spoke to the Avox as if a confidante. “Thinks my attitude is probably bitch-y, right? But, when she all but abandoned her friends at the Academy, not even to give them tips, why would I think she cares about lil ole me?” 

-

“Don’t presume to know what is going on in my head,” Emerald pointed out leaving out the point that she wasn’t even close anyhow. Emerald had no intention of parading anyone anywhere. It wasn’t like it would make a difference if she did or not because like Lux, most wouldn’t even give her an honest chance to be a Mentor in her own right. “Perception and feelings were never your strong points.”

“It’s not thinking if it’s true,” Emerald told her. Even as younger teenagers Lux had always been like this. “Reality is this is not like what they teach you at the Academy.” They were taught to kill and be good at it but not much else. Emerald had found those that were successful were knew how to work the littler things and the top strategy people.

Emerald knew she should bite her tongue but she couldn’t help it. “But don’t worry the hard work is already done for you,” she told Lux. “Esme’s and my own coattails are big enough to carry you along, on top of all the other District One ladies.” District One’s ladies were certainly the epitome of success the past twenty years. Just by crowning the last two Victors Luxanna had an advantage none of the other tributes had.

🐴

He chuckled. Whistling was about the only musical thing that he had going for him. On the longer expeditions to gather cattle far from their homestead, some of his companions in his teenage years would bring homemade instruments and provide music on the trail or when they settled for the night. All Birch got out of it was teasing on his out-of-tune voice and the skill of whistling. 

Birch and Emerald had bonded on her want for a horse over the past couple of years. It was a welcome distraction and he was always on-board for a chat about the lovely creatures. “Hey, don’t be sorry for talking about what you like. Too much time spent here talking about nothing,” he added with a chuckle. “Oaks is good. She has been away to Eight for a little while so it was a relief to see her this afternoon. The girls are always a little bit of handful on my own, but Clem has taken to naming all everything she sees, so don’t be surprised if she starts talking about something called Joshua. Just go along with it.” 

He grinned, returning the conversation to horses. “Your horse is going to be spoiled with a whole field to herself in the shadow of a beautiful mountain. Have you been taking lessons? Or are you going to go through the whole journey with your new companion?”

-

Emerald had to laugh. “Joshua, got it. Perhaps I should get her to name my new horse when I get a new one.” She was going to start with one but Emerald definitely wanted a couple horses. “The little girl at the farm has already named this horse Firefly and I don’t have the heart to change it. Besides, I kinda of like it.”  She admitted with a grin.

“They are great animals, they should be spoiled.” As should any animal. “Besides everyone else has pets it would be nice to have one for myself.” Considering her mom hated cats and Emerald’s games had cured her from every wanted a dog this was a happy inbetween. “Someone should use the field too. Otherwise they will just add more houses there and ruin the views.” Emerald would much rather look out her windows and see the horses grazing in the shadow of the mountains than more houses.

“Not many lesson givers in District One.” She said with a shrug. “Just kinda learning as I go. Probably not the best way but it’s what I have.”

           skepticism  of  antics  on  the  capitol’s  part  are  thoughts  far  from  her  mind.   the  only  time  she’d  experienced  such  a  negative  feeling  towards  the  capitol  was  when  her  brother  came  home  bruised  &  bloodied  one  night.   peacekeepers  were  strict  &  feral  at  times,  so  it  was  expected,  but  that  didn’t  mean  cassia  enjoyed  seeing  her  own  family  in  pain.   maybe  that’s  why  she  was  okay  with  heading  into  the  arena.   regardless  of  the  outcome,  she  wouldn’t  have  to  see  disappointment  or  sadness  on  her  family’s  features.   if  she  died,  she  wouldn’t  see  it.   if  she  lived,  they  would  be  proud.   it  was  a  coin  toss,  but  the  odds,  at  least  in  her  opinion,  were  in  her  favor.   they  were  in  the  favor  of  others,  as  well,  but  she  tried  not  to  think  about  that  too  much.

          “   i  hope  so.   ”     she  didn’t  doubt  herself.   cassia  knew  she  could  provide  entertainment,  with  her  wicked  smile  &  innocent  portrayal.   some  people  would  see  right  through  it,  some  would  fall  for  it.   that  was  up  to  whoever  decided  to  root  for  her.

           head  turns  at  the  answer,  eyes  analyzing  the  victor’s  features  before  cassia  is  nodding  a  few  times  in  return.     “   i’m  good.   enobaria  has  been  amazing  so  far.   she’s  a  beast.   ”     there  was  admiration  to  be  found  in  every  victor,  career - bred  or  not.   there  was  a  lot  to  learn  from  the  districts  who  have  outsmarted  tributes  like  her.   it  was  strategy  to  chat  with  everyone,  right  ?   emerald’s  comment  makes  her  laugh,  head  shaking  a  few  times  before  she’s  returning  her  gaze  to  the  scenery  once  more.     “   wouldn’t  dream  of  it.   jereme  &  lux  look  like  fighters.   ”

-

Emerald nodded because while she didn’t personally know Enobaria that much she was one of those people you just respected. She oozed everything a Victor could and should be. “No one would argue with you there.” Just because she was from District One didn’t mean Emerald did not respect the other Victors. They had all earned their place there and most of them were good people, some of the best she knew.

“They certainly are.” Emerald couldn’t disagree there and when she had been in the arena with the pair of them they had been fighters. Jereme she wasn’t completely known to her but she had spent enough time watching Luxanna to know she was a fighter. Emerald had other assessments of Lux’s character but this wasn’t the place for it. Like them or not she wanted her tributes to do well.

“I’d be fool to think the pair of you aren’t fighters too. Have you met Titus yet?”

Emerald had figured this time of night everyone would be sleeping, but she was surprised to find her mother still up. “Oh, hey...” She said softly forcing a small smile for Glitter’s sake. “A late night for you too?”

@glitterrosseau​​

“Feel like adopting a wayward Mentor tonight?” She joked once the door had been opened. “I mean I might even ask you do something absolutely crazy with me.” Again she was joking but only partly as she forced a bit of a small smile for Rory’s sake.

@rorykepler​​

– 👑

Lux heard her name from a familiar voice and even though it had been three years, she bit back an exaggerated sigh. Emerald Rosseau, one of the most famous people in One, with a mother she would’ve probably killed for when she was younger, was her mentor. At one point, Emerald was in her class. Lux had District pride and cheered along with the rest of them when she came home Victor. But, she also had a problem with jealousy. 

She looked around the room in mock wide-eyed wonder as her mentor spoke, before looking pointedly at Emerald. “There is literally an Avox right over there that can fetch me a drink. And about ten steps away there is a buffet. I think I can shake my ass all the way over there if I am in need of more food.” 

Lux put the straw of her frappuccino to her lips and took a long, loud sip. 

-

Emerald crossed her arms as all pretenses of acting like a good little Victor quickly fled her mind. This was the girl she had known back at the Academy and thought she was better than everyone else and while she was good, Emerald did not think she was that good. Instead she drew herself up because whether or not anyone liked to admit it Emerald was a Victor and she had won her games at fifteen.

“Then you can shake that ass of yours all the way to the room downstairs and pick out your coffin while you’re at it.” Emerald snapped back partly because she was annoyed with life and partly because she did not like Lux’s tone with her. She had been trying to be helpful and respectful. “Because that attitude is the fastest way there.”

Emerald couldn’t help it she supposed she was a Rosseau underneath. They were all about business and less about the show. They showed up and did what they had to do instead of flash their skills off for the world to see. Although, her grandfather was pretty getting good at the showboating in his old age. It also meant training hard and being all business all the time. The other Careers would show up ready to play the game and her tribute was sitting there drinking fattening drinks acting like she owned the place. She didn’t own anything yet.

“But don’t let me stop you. Have another drink,” Emerald told her flagging down an Avox.

The Rose Garden was always a destination on the first day of the Games cycle. Birch couldn’t help but escape the suffocating responsibility and questions from the reporters and the Capitol staff, and even from his tributes. He would do whatever he could for his tributes, but having a moment, a respite from everything in side was what he needed every year. 

Birch whistled as he walked, nodding at the Avox that was currently watering the flowers. It was funny, this place. It was a place where his thoughts could run free and untangle themselves, but when he thought more about how the Garden was an illusion of fresh air and freedom, he knew it was time to return inside. 

Today though, he ignored the presence of the force field and simply walked and whistled. 

He was alone for a while, until he saw a familiar face, sitting on a bench. Birch walked over, giving Emerald a smile. She was much easier to talk to compared to her mother. He wasn’t afraid to admit that he was more than a little afraid of Glitter Rosseau. 

“Hey kiddo. How’s it going? Did you end up getting the–?” he trailed off, looking hopeful at Emmy. He would gladly talk about anything other than the Games. // @jewelofpanem​

-

“You’re slightly out of tune,” Emerald pointed out in a good natured gest as Birch walked past her. She had to admit hearing him whistle momentarily made her long to play music again. Her violin and piano had not seen use since the day of her Reaping three years ago. Emerald supposed the chances of her having a future in music had long since passed.

She smiled at Birch as she moved over and allowed him to sit down. “Yep. Still need somewhere to put her permenantly but I think the farm that breeds the horses for the mines is happy to board her, for a fee.” Emerald told him happily. Her horse had really been the first big expense she had as a Victor despite having a ton of money of her own to spend. “There is a huge field at the end of the Victor Village in One with a great view of the mountains..”

“She’s a dapple-gray Arabian!” Emerald started before she realized she was rambling and being rude. “Sorry. How’s the girls and Oakley?”

“Luxanna,” Emerald started as she walked up to a face she hadn’t seen since her days at the Academy nearly three years ago. They had been younger then but Luxanna still looked the same. Unlike Emerald she seemed to be exactly where she was not only supposed to be but wanted to be.

“I know you don’t need my help,” she started knowing Academy tributes never thought they needed anything. Hell, Emerald had been a legacy and she didn’t think she needed help and she had been wrong. “But I am here to offer it. Can I get you anything? Something to eat or drink? I can’t help with the clothes though if you don’t like them,” she joked.

@luxanaxvii​​