"Evelyn Brinley, better known as Lady Red, victor of the 72nd Hunger Games. Won her games at 15."
"Why Lady Red?"
"Because she always wears red. Oh, and she won her games by burning the remaining tributes alive."
✮
"𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆? 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒄...
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Originally published - 02.14.24
Edited - 04.07.25
DESPITE BOTH TRIBUTES PROTESTS, Sasha and Bell forced them to watch the other reapings. They said something about how important it was for them to know who they were going up against. The reapings were scattered throughout the day and happened quickly, but the Capitol did reruns until the tributes reached the Capitol and they had new media to cover.
Even though she didn't really want to watch it, part of her was glad for the distraction; she doubted she would be able to sleep anyway. Sleep had been a luxury she lost years ago and learned to function without. Of course, she would have to get sleep over the next couple of days, but skipping a couple of hours was fine. And she would be able to get some sleep once they got to the tribute center; those beds had to be comfortable.
"Pay attention to the reapings," Sasha said when Evelyn began to drift off, "It's important or whatever. You want to know your opponents before you meet them. It will give you an advantage. And don't underestimate anybody."
It was impossible to underestimate the first two tributes, which wasn't a surprise since they were district one, the top of the Career chain. Careers trained in a special academy, and then volunteered once they were deemed ready. Technically, preparation before the games should have been illegal, but Districts One and Two had sided with the Capitol during the rebellion, so they got a lot of grace. District Four was also part of the career pack, but they didn't have an academy or anything. They were just stronger than other districts.
The male tribute, Kutter, was going to be a threat. He was taller than Jordan and Evelyn combined, and he seemed to be a fan favorite in the district. Evelyn could see why; he was tall and gorgeous, which meant he was going to be a Capitol favorite as well. He had luscious black hair tied back into a manbun, brown eyes that appeared gold when the sunlight hit them just right, and, of course, muscles. He was the kind of person who got sponsors with ease. He walked up to the stage, winking and blowing kisses at the girls. Even Caesar Flickerman only had good things to say about the guy.
Sasha rolled his eyes, bringing a cup of a drink that smelled like rum up to his lips as he watched, "Always the same from one.Overconfident and charming."
Lavender, the female tribute, reminded Evelyn of Cassandra. She had blonde hair wrapped around her head in a braided crown and bright green eyes that were impossible to forget. She wasn't as muscular as Kutter, but that didn't mean she was weak. She walked up to the stage with the same confidence as her fellow tribute, but her expression held an underlying tone of superiority. She looked at the crowd with a blank expression - her indifference shining through. Evelyn had seen that look on the careers face plenty of times, but she never really understood it. All except one of them was going to meet a very bloody death.
District Two's tributes were also volunteers. Ace was smaller than Kutter was, although he had a similar charm. The only personality difference between the two was that Ace seemed a lot meaner. Everyone eyed him warily as he made his way up to the stage as if they were expecting him to lash out at any moment. The people in Two knew more about the tributes than Evelyn did because of the academy, so it seemed like Ace was going to be a bigger threat than he looked.
