84 Afterlife!AU, Part 6

Raoul Keaton of District 10 knew where he was. 
He had lost the fight. He had lost his chance at getting back home to his District, his friends and family, his fiddle... He's lost it all. Not that he really had too much to get back to. His distant parents, no brother... He really wished he could have gotten back, to talk to Vera and maybe someday tell her how he felt about her for so long... That was all a distant hope now. There was no going back. If he wanted to see any of his friends or loved ones again, he'd have to wait. Hopefully it would be a long wait, he would hate for his friends to come to him too early. 
He knows that his friends and family are thinking about him, and the thought is just as sad as it is comforting. He knows they must be hurting. He'd certainly hurt if he'd lost a loved one. Hell, he had, the second Reuben walked out that door. It was a hard adjustment to make, that was for sure. Losing someone you loved to leaaving was hard enough, let alone to death. There was no hope of reconicliation, no chance that he'd ever come back. 
He didn't feel much like crying. He felt kind of numb, not really like doing anything. It was a calm kind of numbness, not a panicky sort, which was at least a relief. 
Raoul knew what he really wanted. He wanted to play music. 
It didn't take long for the girl from Eleven to appear in the room, and Raoul quickly left. He didn't want to look at her or risk talking to her right now. He got up and briefly stretched out his wings before leaving the temple. 
The outside was warm and soft, up high in the clouds. It really was beautiful. 
"Raoul!" Edgard slipped out from under Callum's arm and ran to meet him, giving him a big hug, that was quickly returned. 
"Hey Edgard," Raoul said quietly. He really was just happy to see the Eleven boy, who had become a good friend as well as an ally. 
"You fought really well," the boy from Eleven says quietly. 
"It doesn't feel like it." 
"That's normal. You'll see in time, though. There's nothing else you could have done." 
Raoul didn't believe it, but seeing someone familiar and warm calmed him. 
"You placed well, you did your District proud." 
"Thank you." 
The friends stayed in the embrace for a while before Raoul gave him a pat on the shoulder and they separated. 
"Angels play harps, right?" Raoul asked. 
"Eh, that's just the stereotype. C'mon, I'll show you around and we can get your hands on a fiddle." 
Raoul grinned. "Sure. Sounds great." 
~.~. 
Martina was beside herself. 
The thoughts of her family and friends just depressed her. They felt warm and cozy, but it wasn't really her home. It wasn't the same as having them there, in the flesh. She wanted to be home. She had gone through so much shit and just like that she's lost. 
She had so much depending on her, and she let them all down. She couldn't believe she'd done this. How could she? They were all thinking of her. Her father, mother, Tristan, Mariah, Leah, Trey, Marlene... Jackson. Oh, Jackson. She was all he had and now she was gone... She suddenly was worried about him. Was he going to be okay? Would her family take him in? Surely they would. They loved him, they wouldn't let him destroy himself... And without Martina, he certainly would destroy himself. 
Tears streamed down her cheeks, pouring out of her eyes. She couldn't help it. She felt so homesick and sad, disappointed, even angry because she had lost it. Now was not the time to dwell on the past. She couldn't do anything to change it, after all. 
She stayed there for a while, soft wings wrapped around herself, sobbing quietly, hurting. Soon, the sadness started to fade, replaced by that warm calmness that everyone is going to be alright. They would keep going without her. 
She stood up, finally, drying her cheeks and wiping her eyes. 
She couldn't do anything to change the fact that she died. She would just have to find a good way to spend the time until her loved ones joined her. And for that, she was ready to wait. 
~.~. 
District 9's Kade Fields wasn't alone.
Rachel sat with him in the temple, holding his hands. His eyes were slightly glassy, but he knew that he was in a better place. The only person he had down there was Sophia. Leaving her alone hurt Kade, sure. He could feel her thinking about him, and that made him upset. She was probably hurting so much. He fought so hard to make it back to her, and he had made it to third place. God, he was so close to winning...
But there was nothing he could do to change it now. 
He stayed in Rachel's arms, hugging her tightly. They hadn't known each other for too long, but she had become a close friend anyways. They just clicked, and he was glad that she was his ally. 
"You didn't have to sacrifice yourself for me," he said quietly. All of the images of seeing her silhouette in the Arena came back. 
But this Rachel was different. She was soft, warm, she was real. She was the real Rachel, not whatever fake version of her was projected in the Arena. 
"I wanted to. I never intended on leaving the Arena alive. I gave my chance for someone who deserved it. And you really made me proud. You made her proud, too. Sophia. And your home. Third place is amazing." 
"But it's not first."
"Someone had to get third. It sucks, but you fought hard and did your best."
Kade just sighed quietly as Rachel let him go with a pat on the shoulder. 
His sadness didn't last long, though, as soon he saw two little girls running towards him. 
His sisters. 
Gabby reached him first, jumping into his arms and hugging him tightly. Lydia arrived soon after, joining the hug. It was a tight, warm hug, and Kade never wanted to let go. 
"God, I missed you," he said quietly, tears pooling in his eyes. 
"You did well out there," Lydia said. 
Gabby nodded. "We're so proud of you." 
Kade managed a small smile. "Thanks. I really just did my best." 
The siblings didn't talk after that. They just stayed in the tight, warm hug, and Kade felt like he was home. 
It wasn't totally complete, though. Kade let out a small sob when he heard his mother's voice say his name. 
His sisters let go so that he could run over to his mother, hugging her tightly. 
"You did so well down there," she said, sniffling and wiping her eyes. 
"Don't cry," Kade said quietly, biting his lip. 
"They're proud tears," she said. "You did everything you could." 
"I tried. I wanted to make you proud." He stayed in his mother's arms for a long time before both of his sisters joined the hug again. 
They were complete. They were whole. They were a family. 
They were together. 

District 9 Chibis!

Female Tribute: Karima Highland- Lady Lysa Arryn

Male Tribute: Kade Fields- hopefuldreamer1991

Escort; James Rhodes- Emrys Holmes

Female Mentor: Sunnoria Amaranth- Skyflapple

Male Mentor: Gabriel Yates- CrissKenobie-The-Numenorean

All together! Yay! 

TFW you're writing Kade and Rachel having a conversation and realize that Can You Feel The Love Tonight's been playing for like two minutes now XD (That's right friends it's time for crackships)
"When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours" WTF WHY DOES THIS DESCRIBE THEM STOP SHUFFLE STOP DOING THI STO ME
FUCK AND YOU KNOW THE NEXT SONG?! ANIMALS BY MAROON FIVE LIKE NOOO NO THIS IS A SEX SONG THEY'RE LITERALLY IN AN ELEVATOR SURROUNDED BY THEIR MENTORS NOOOO NO

~Question Time!! Part 5~

From Anonymous via Tumblr: Questions for the 84th tributes: Kade: Would you kill the Victor who killed your sister, if you had the chance? Do you think she deserves to die? Briella: Was there a time where you and your girlfriend went through a bad moment, but still remained together? Tells us about it. Wren: If you won, what would be the first thing you would do when you got home?
~.~.
Kade: Niesha Varlett killed Lydia, but I wouldn't kill her.  Starting to go through the Games myself, I know that she was only doing what she had to in order to survive.  Hopefully that's it, hopefully she regrets what she did, but... No, I wouldn't kill her.  She may have volunteered for it, but I suppose in the big scheme of things it's not her fault. 
Riella: There have been a couple arguments we've had, but probably one of the worst was about reapings. I told her I'd volunteer for her if she was reaped from when I was 16 and she was 17, and she said absolutely not, and I said absolutely, and she said then that she would volunteer for me.  I told her no.  She said it's only fair.  I said no again, she accused me of implying that she's weak and has no chance. That's truly not what I meant. I meant that I would do anything for her and I want her to always be safe and happy. We ended the argument abruptly and she left. I was slightly horrified. Later she came back and gave me a muffin from the bakery as a treat and we talked it out. That was definitely the most intense argument we had. 
Wren: Hug my family and friends and make sure they know how incredibly deeply I love them and how much I am blessed by their friendship.  Losing them is what's hurt me the most. 

~Question Time!! Part 4~

From Sophie via Tumblr: Here are some questions:

Callum: Do you wish your relationship with your parents was different?

Vidarr: If you had to pick your favorite thing about living in District Two, what would it be?

Maggie: If you had stayed in D2, do you think you would have married your girlfriend? Also, who do you think would have proposed to the other? You or her?

Collin: What is your favorite memory about your father?

Amari: You had friends, a good life and you were popular. But besides that, is there anything you wish you had done while you were still in District Six? Like, something you regret not doing?

Riella: What is your favorite thing about your girlfriend? Also, how did you know you loved her in the first place?

Kendal: If you hadn’t been reaped, what do you imagine your life in District Seven would be like after you turned eighteen?

Felicity: Have you picked a name for your baby? If so, what made you pick it?

Kade: If you could say anything to your sister, what would it be?

Leo: Weird question, but would you change your name if you could?

~.~. 

Callum: Of course I do.  I wish my mother hadn't been stupid and gotten pregnant with me when she was so young.  I wish I had parents. I mean, of course my grandparents mean the world to me, and they've done everything they can for me, but... I wish I was like the other kids at Academy who had time to focus on training instead of having to juggle a job and caring for them and all... So yeah, I wish it was different. 

Vi: Well, besides my Ashe, probably just how well-off we are. If we lived anywhere else, Ashe and I probably wouldn't have been able to run away together without permission and get an apartment.  I mean, it's by no means a great place, but it's a place.  And we can feed ourselves. And that's really all that matters. 

Maggie: Well... I mean, it's hard to say because we're still both 16, and I don't think either of us intends on getting married so young.  But, of course I've thought about the possibility. It's a little crazy to think about, with both of us so young.  If someone were to propose... I dunno.  I mean, it could be either of us.  Neither of us would propose without being totally sure that we wanted to do it.  Hannah is so much more creative than me, though, it'd probably be more romantic if she did it. But you never know. 

Collin: My father was always my best friend. I have plenty of happy memories of sitting at the table with him and eating fruit and giggling in our small dusty kitchen.  The first time he took me out on the open sea, and I remember how incredibly amazing it was, to be out sailing on the ocean.  He said, "Smell the air, Collin.  This will be your home."  *sighs* Yeah. 

Amari: Well, I'm only 15.  There's a lot of stuff I wish I could've done, but like, when I'm ready.  I mean, I haven't gone all the way with anyone, but I wouldn't do that if I could change things.  I wouldn't until I was older.  Other than that, I can't say there's anything I regret.  Maybe I'd be more respectful of my mother, but she's such a killjoy I just can't help it. 

Riella: My favorite thing about Andy?  Oh, everything.  So sappy, I know.  But I can't pick just one thing, that's why I love her so much.  That's why I picked her over my parents.  I knew I loved her one time when we were talking together and I realized there was nobody I'd rather be talking to, nobody I'd rather spend my time with, nobody I'd rather be with more than her. 

Kendal: Well... Trying to figure out where I belong, I guess.  I suppose I would spend some time travelling with my Dad before learning to teach on my own and being a teacher to camp kids.  Maybe find someone to get married to, if that happens I won't fight it.  I'd just be nothing special, as is usual for District 7 people. 

Felicity: I haven't considered it too much. Jonathan and I were gonna talk about it after the reaping but obviously that didn't work out, now did it? 

Kade: I would say... I'm sorry.  For everything.  I blame myself for her death, of course, I should've done something... But it's definitely not her fault.  I would say how much I love her and wish she was here.  *sad sigh* 

Leo: Yeah, I think I would.  I mean, it's so plain and simple and sometimes I'm not sure it suits me. 

~QUESTION TIME!! Part 1~

From Anonymous via Tumblr: (Sorry, but it looks like you sent previous messages but this is the only one I got...) Nautica: You're evil for killing that innocent girl. I'm guessing you'll feel zero remorse in the arena. Karima: you remind me of Sheldon cooper. Kade: I bet gio is an inspiration to you. I feel super sorry for you :( do you think your story will give you an advantage with sponsors feeling sorry for you? Rachel: think you'd partner with Kade since you have the homeless thing in common? Raoul: love the fiddle, play turkey in the straw Martina: I think you'll remind me of Krissa from the 36th Games. Edgard: who can actually afford to go to a bar in 11?! Wren: pretty name....
~.~.
Nautica: Of course not.  You do what you have to do, simple as that. 
Karima: Who's Sheldon Cooper? *confused* 
Kade: Oh, Gio.  Thirty... Sixth Victor, if I remember correctly?  I'm not really up to date on my Games history, but I do remember that he was homeless too.  So yeah.  He said... Oh, I don't remember exactly.  But basically told everyone that they could do anything.  Which is cool.  As for my story... We'll see.  Hopefully, but you never know with Capitolites....
Rachel: I'm considering my allies carefully.  We'll see... 
Raoul: If only... It's going to be a long couple of months without my fiddle there.  Music is such an important part of my life and who I am... 
Martina: I don't remember much about all the way back then.  I've tried to avoid Games history whenever I can.  
Edgard: Mostly Peacekeepers, which are important connections to make.  A very few number of the higher ups, and Victors occasionally drop by. 
Wren: *smiles* Thank you.  I like my name, and my whole family is named after birds.