Jade Ametrine - Reaping.
This was the day that Jade has anticipated for years, The first Reaping that her name could be drawn and the first time that The Capitol would have the opportunity to take her out without raising the suspicions of District One. In Jade’s mind, there was a plan of action in place and she knew what was to come, and what would happen and exactly how she would respond. Everything in its place. Including her.
Everything was prepared and she knew what was to come and with that in mind. She began.
In the back of her mind Jade knew that this was the first time that The Capitol would fix their eyes on her for consumption so she’d have to stand out. Represent herself well. Take the time to be what they wanted from a victor and that all started with her outfit for The Reaping Ceremony. Her dress was cut perfectly to her silhouette, clinging to her hips and falling to her ankle with a slit along one leg, the material suggested strength, the figure femininity. She could play to those that expected her to be a fighter and those that wanted her to be a lover in equal measure. The makeup was soft and subtle with a dark pink lip that accentuated her features instead of masking them. This was her design, and The Capitol would take note.
There was one thing that remained sentimental in Jade’s outfit, the fur she wrapped around her shoulders against a non-existent chill belonged to her late Mother and still clung to the scent of her. Jade would take this with her and use it as a reminder of the lessons that Persia Ametrine had instilled in her. That everything had it’s worth, even this, the double meaning of District One made furs showed that Jade was still one of them and that eventually she would return to be one of them again. The Capitol would miss the symbolism, but not District One, they would understand. Every one of them. District One would take note.
The journey to the town square was short, Victors Village was too far away to go on foot so a driver arrived promptly with enough time to take her, she could see other cars on the streets taking other families while she sat alone and pondered what would happen now. The Capitol would call her name, she would take to the stage, Onyx would be there already. He was the variable she didn’t want, she would be better without him but, everything has its use. The Reaping itself wasn’t met with any form of celebration except for the escort who stood at the podium, his eyes ablaze with glee at the pomp and circumstance and pageantry of being in District One as their gateway to The Capitol. He’d been here before and Jade couldn’t even remember his name but she already despised the man as he watched the message from President Coin about how and why the games had been reinstated. Jade did everything that she could to keep her expression calm and collected as he waddled over to the first Reaping bowl. The girl would be read out first and it would be her. She knew it.
“Jade Ametrine!” The man cried into the microphone as Jade moved her lips right along. The cameras would catch that, and the embers of questions of why and how she knew would begin to glow in The Capitol. She smiled her most genuine smile up at the stage as those around her congratulated her on being Tribute for District One, this was an honour for most and for her she knew that this was a death sentence, The Capitol wanted her dead and this was their machination.
Hands were shook, smiles exchanged and Jade was the epitome of grace and virtue, nobody would see her sweat even if on the inside her heart was beating loud and sweat was forming on her brow. Onyx’ name was called and of course being the pompous idiot that he was he took to the stage with the showmanship and cockyness she’d come to expect of him, he had his use though, he was bold and brash enough to be a distraction should she need it and he was easily manipulated too, a weapon that she could use.
In the end, Jade knew that she wouldn’t be visited in The Justice Building, there wasn’t anyone to visit her that really cared for her the way family would. So she spent the time picking at the small amount of food that was served as they waited for the train to arrive. It would be better to eat when and where she could now that she was going into the arena, where even the best laid plans could come undone in the blink of an eye.
