69th Reaping [D4]

~Yucca Ephedra

Yucca awoke happy on Reaping day.

Silver’s cool cheek was pressed up against the bare V that was Yucca’s chest, exposed by her thin nightgown. Their legs were tangled up in the sheets, soft white hair to soft white hair, to small feet and toenails just gently scraping weathered soles. Yucca’s arms were around Silver, one hand deeply buried in her long hair, the only gently gliding up and down her back. She wondered how long she’d been making that motion. It was instinctive now, when Silver lay across her chest, that is, to memorize the curve of her spine and read the skin on her back. It was an instinct to love this girl.

For a long moment, Yucca lay still, except for the rhythm of her hand, breathing in Silver’s beachy scent, eyes closed to darkness. It was a scent she’d never forget, one she’d been drawn to in a tunnel, on a beach far from there, in a hopeless place. In the darkness, desperately trying to see, fingers clawing, finding skin, nose twitching, smelling her. She smelled of the sand and ocean wind—wholesome, yet not so overwhelming. She smelled like the fishy nets, soaked in a day’s work and then like the seashells that sang the ocean back. And Yucca had to taste her.

In bed, Yucca opened her eyes and reached down to peck Silver softly on the forehead. The girl stirred slightly, eyelids shut fluttering, but slept on. Their chests rose and fell in unison and when Silver breathed out, her warm breath tickled Yucca’s skin. Yucca laid her head back upon her pillow, staring up at the ceiling which was growing brighter with sunlight filtering in through her window.

Today was Reaping day. She could feel it in her bones, like on a rainy day. But, surprisingly, she felt calm. Perhaps it was the gentle rhythm of Silver’s breath, warming her chest. Any other Reaping, she would’ve felt like the time a wave overtook her at the beach. The harsh tumbling feeling of being tossed by the waves, lungs screaming for air, nose burning with salt water, hair being ripped from the scalp, a terrible feeling that did not cease until the names were announced and Yucca came to on the beach, gasping for breath, but blissfully unharmed.

This morning, she felt little but Silver. Last night, the girl had come to her, like a dream, her own nightgown flapping at her ankles as she climbed in through Yucca’s window—thankfully Yucca lived on the first floor. She left a small trail of sand when she walked; she’d likely cut through the beach to come to Yucca’s bed. Her hair was tangled with the salty wind, her lips cracked from the cool air. Yucca sat her down in her lap and untangled it with her fingers, accidentally pulling out silvery strands that she held up to her window and let the wind take. There would be no nightmares tonight, no awful flashbacks from the things they’d seen, the things they’d experienced. If either began to whimper in their sleep, the other would quiet her, gently shushing against her lips, gently stroking, gently whispering, it’s okay, it’s okay, I’m here.

It was by a stroke of luck they ended up on the same horror house, the same island. By some magic in the same tunnel. By some spell in each other’s arms, at each other’s lips. That was indescribable. It simply couldn’t be understood. However, this had a name to it. Yucca’s hand tightened only slightly around a handful of Silver’s hair, to ensure it wouldn’t disappear and her eyes opened and glanced down to study her girlfriend’s clear, marble-like skin. Her leg twitched and then settled against Silver’s. The sun stopped its movement in the sky, stopped to watch and worship these two girls. This could only be called love.

Today, Yucca awoke happy. For in her arms was Silver.

***

For the only day in the year, Yucca and Silver held hands to the Reaping. Any other day would seem odd; any other day would cause rumors. But, on Reaping day it was perfectly normal to see two girls strolling to the Towns Square together, tightly holding hands. Many held hands in hope that they’d be parted, one called to the stage to claim victory, but Silver and Yucca held like glue. To not be separated.

The crowd jostled them. Yucca found herself next to another girl suddenly as the eighteen year olds surged to their place in line, excited and anxious nerves propelling them forward. Silver’s fingertips scraped the back of Yucca’s hand and then she was gone and the Capitol’s anthem blared through the speakers. They were frozen to their spots. Yucca stared straight ahead, not daring to look at Silver, though craving her touch, as the Capitol escort pranced to the glass balls. In the split second before the unthinkable happened, Yucca gave in and turned her head and just saw a flicker of silver hair before all the world stopped.

“Yucca Ephedra.”

“No,” Yucca began, her mouth moving, but her words were lost in the murmurs, in the hands pushing her forward, to the stage. “No,” she began again as the escort took her arm and kindly, yet forcefully led her to the middle of the stage. “No,” she tried and tried, but her voice died in her throat every time. “No.”. She scanned the crowd in desperation.

Silver was a beacon. Silver was her beacon. Yucca found her and their eyes instantly latched upon each other. Their gaze was unwavering, unforgettable. In Silver’s eyes, Yucca saw nothing, but fear and pain and Yucca knew Silver could see the same. How could she die before the girl she loved so? How could she leave Silver in a cold bed, in cold nights, lost in cold nightmares she had no way of fighting out of. How could she leave Silver on a cold beach at night without arms to warm her? How could she ever leave her?

“Will there be any volunteers?”

Though knowing full well she was bringing disgrace upon her District, Yucca stepped forward, dropping to her knees, hands hitting the stage, and this time her voice rose in a cry, in a swell, in a desperate plea. “Please, not me.” She found Silver in the crowd once more. There was only Silver, not the hundreds of people staring, surprised, not the stinging in her hands and knees, not her name echoing in the square, only Silver. “I can’t go. Please, please, not me!”

Even if it meant disgrace and shame, Yucca would take it. Anything for a thousand more happy nights with Silver Emmend in her bed.

[Yucca Ephedra is stepping down.]

ooc: I’d like to thank Lulaya for choosing to release Yucca’s name before the Reaping. It means a lot to know that Yucca is a well-liked character on the site. Yucca is the first character I’d ever made and also loves a wonderful character made by Stare. I’ve grown attached to her and I am not willing to give her up just yet. I hope to use the time that not participating in the Games gives me to develop more Succa, write more characters, Tutor and support those in the 69th Games. Good luck to all those participating!