The 48th Maze Running Selection Ceremony

[Arrow]

The 48th Maze Running Selection Ceremony

    The day was just dawning when our train finally filed into the station. Upon departure we are ushered into cars and watch as an entire District awakens to the most important day of the year. Some are shedding tears while others are rushing through the streets with excitement staining their skin. A smile spurs across my face as I follow the figures with my eyes, I love this job. A scream, a shout, footsteps running away or towards the sight of our caravan. The Capitol was here to select the next shining star of Panem, Ceasar was undoubtedly preparing to start the show in his studios. Today is going to be a glorious day. 

    Midday soon shines over the skin of hundreds of children glancing at me to discover their destiny. I smile in the light of the sun, "Welcome, Welcome to the annual Reaping. Today we will select two brave souls to travel to the heart of our nation and compete for a chance at unlimited riches and glory. Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor!" Silence stirs me to my place by the first bowl, would there be any volunteers today? Time to find out who will be my Runners. 

    "Ladies first," My fingers fall and furl around a single slip of paper before pulling it from its place. I pause for a moment of adrenaline induced anticipation and read the first name allowed with a sweet smile. "Crystal Moth!" I waste no time watching her walk from her place in the crowd. I soon select the slip of my second contender, "Elliot Alescio!" 

Please reply to this thread with a single post accepting or denying your position in the Maze

[tom]

Elliot Alescio
District Four

Another yell. Another fight. Another tireless fight that sinks into his head like an ache that never goes away. His voice always like a large sting across the face, a slap to his ego again and again. A career is what his father wanted him to be ever since Ma overdosed. A child that was meant to be molded by his father's hands into something that he wasn't, instead he's out on the streets late at night with a bag full of drugs that he had received from others to sell. Another early morning before anyone is awake, except the druggies looking for another hit of something to hide their minds away from it all. Escape from the reality that chains them to pains that grow stronger and stronger. Cigarette in his hand as he takes a huff of the nicotine stick into his lungs and release out with a chill in his skin.

Friends were hard to come by anymore. Once, he had a friend, but that was long ago when Ma was still alive and doing drugs. That was when his dad used to be alright for the most part. Chiller than he had ever been before. No wanting of a career or a son who could bring something good to the family as he said, but all Eli wanted to do was keep living the same life that he was living. No worries in the world, except for the one girl who made things interesting. At least, interesting enough to drive him mad with anger. The girl who had better dealing tactics than he did, but he still gave her a run for her money. A chuckle comes from his voice as he moves away from his latest sale to go home and prepare for the reaping that his father told him to volunteer for.

Like he was going to listen to some old man who worked more than seeing his own son.

The walk to the square was normal. Druggies dressed in their best. Children dressed by their parents who seem to be praying to whatever deity that might save their child. A laugh falls from his lips as he pulls his cigarette out and lights it. The crowd was big, but he didn't care. Careers, Non-Careers, and all sorts of others were situated like a herd of animals packed together waiting for the slaughter. The first name rings out as he slips away to a building across the way to listen to the reaping, knowing full well that he was going to be fine. It's been seven years without his name getting called, he can let his guard down as eight was not going to be his time and if it was, some other career would volunteer, so instead he looks to the stage with patience and a cool stare.

"Crystal Moth!"

A chuckle comes from behind the cigarette as he knows the name instantly. The girl who was once a friend and a rival had been called and he could honestly didn't care anyways. Not like she was important anymore. He'd have free reign on all of District Four's sales. Almost wanting to cheer, he stays silent, something in his stomach twisting at the sound ringing in his ear from the announcing of her name. Shrugging it to the depths of his stomach as he continues to smoke his cigarette without a care for the memory of a little girl who let him join her in her games. Then the voice rings out with a name that sends chills in his chest.

"Elliot Alescio!"

So much for being safe for the eighth time. Pushing off the wall, he catches his own heart in his throat before he takes a breath of air and gives a smirk that he's had time and time again. Cigarette still upon his lips as Peacekeepers follow in line with him. As he reaches the stage where Crystal is, he just lets the cigarette fall on stage to whoever's horror as he puts it out on their beautiful stage in District Four. All that comes to his lips is a whisper.

"This is gonna be interesting."

[Elliot Alescio accepts his spot as D4M]

[cameo]

Crystal Moth

A precious grin mirrors from one lip to another, to another. Arms of warmth wrapped around her in a protective hold, while her bent legs cradle the likes of their adored baby boy. Once a fierce drug dealer, now a nurturing Mother who’s even brewing a second within the likes of her stomach - though sarcasm still constantly roams upon her words, just as it does with her Man’s. “Don’t be stressed, love.” She attempts to sooth him after another heavy sigh exhales from his lips. “I know that the last thing you want is to be a Maze-Maker… But it’s like being a vegetarian. Even if you don’t eat that piece of meat, someone else is still going to.” That very sarcasm coils from her words, and her lips spread into a smirk once again. “Bad analogy?” She giggles, which ignites a soft chuckle from their baby boy in return.

With a head tilted to the side, her lips collide into his’ as if apologizing for her comment. “You’re protecting the family by doing this. Plus either way you’ll be off to the Capitol, and I’ll be missing you.” She mentions, before dreading the idea of ever having to leave this bed. A sigh seeps across her own tongue, as she maneuvers the little one onto her chest and curls further into Lightning’s arms. But eventually time’s up, the baby cries for alteration, and the future must continue.

Last year horror had consumed the Aqua family upon this date, while Chris simply watched from afar. The sole similarity was the developing consumption within her stomach. And today she walks hand in hand with the Aqua family, being one of them now. Rascals of all sizes giggle from every chain link of the family’s hold. Chaos cradles her new nephew with a spark of love no one thought would return to her eyes. Lightning’s always at her side, to call her his’. Fear no longer rattles their features either, with guarantee of safety for them all. Reassurance no longer embraces one another, as they part with confidence after merry hugs. A kiss plants upon both of Chris’s little and big man, before separating from them with her own slice of assurance in security…

The crowd hushes as the announcements begin. From afar a wave is given to the beauty of Lightning coddling their baby. She couldn’t be more pleased by the mental sanctuary that cocoons her loved ones. Even Chaos’s exterior is healing from the trauma of the last Maze, while a petite smirk coos at her nephew. But suddenly all of those grins shrivel within a second, arching Chris’s eyebrows in confusion. Uncertainty breaks her eyes from the victor section, in a search for what was occurring. It’s then that she realized everyone was staring at her.

It was her name to be called.

Emotions breach from her face, as she finds her legs traveling towards the stage without her the approval of her thoughts. A former rival, and even longer ago friend, joins her upon the stage - but her mind’s too consumed by the cruel event unfolding to provide him with a thought. Protection was given to the Aquas. And though she’s apart of the family now, that’s not her last name.