my hungry heart | [jackson/antigone]

my hungry heart | [jackson/antigone] Oct 12, 2023 9:14:34 GMT -5

Post by Hafen d4 ⚓︎ minie on Oct 12, 2023 9:14:34 GMT -5

When you where twelve years old, you had your first day of school at district nine’s very own Milton Academy for Girls and you stuck out like a sore thumb. Everyone seemed so put together and even if you wore the same school uniform, your appearance was nothing short of a whirlwind. Blond hair matted because your mother had never found the time to tell you needed to brush it and your older brother was not very helpful in that department either. The wrinkles in your school uniform caused the principle to send a letter home that no one but yourself read. The concept of an ironing board was more than foreign.

Here in the training center, you felt the same way you did on that first day of school, dressed like the rest but you possessed little to none of the abilities that career kids had, you did not have the poise of the rich upper district children. What you did have was a mind that functioned better than most computers, collecting data and sorting it to make sense. You acquired files and files in your imaginary database over the past few days of who was who and who was good at what. You stayed late after everyone had left making sure that you used every second you had to prepare yourself. The training center had become your new library, and you would have to be forced out of it each and every night.

When the lights were shut for the night, you had made your way to the dining hall where most of the tributes already seemed to be finishing up their meals and the trainers had begun to occupy most of the other available spaces. You spotted a few familiar faces, and few that you have not spoken to before but knew by name and district. In a far-left corner, you had finally taken your seat and taken a paper napkin from one of the dispensaries to note down the diverse range of information you had acquired from today’s training.

Amidst your concentration, a voice had interrupted your thought process.

” I know we aren't supposed to talk much about home, but what's it like back in 9? Must be doing better than it was, the owners of the circus I perform in have been considering adding it to their tour list for next year? “

You looked up for a second at the red-haired boy who carefully slid himself into the empty seat across from yourself. Taken aback for a second, a few moments were needed in order for you to full process his whispered query.

”Depends who you ask really.” You shrugged your shoulders as you proceeded to write down your notes, not wanting to lose your train of thought. ”You can never really completely get rid of crime, just force it further down into the underground. Besides the influx of peacekeepers has made things worse for those of us just trying to live our lives. I am sure your circus will feel more than safe, visitors often are oblivious to everything else that is going on.” your voice may have been slightly more hostile than you meant for it to be.

Once you complete your sentence, you look up and try to force a smile. He was just curious after all, if no one were to ask questions then no one were to ever learn. You had to at least respect that.

”I’m Antigone Jay, but most people just call me Tigs.” you introduce yourself holding out your hand.