ALL-CAPS:volunteering - statistics and historical importance
Feb 24, 2018 9:23:22 GMT -5
Post by Sleepy Fluttershy on Feb 24, 2018 9:23:22 GMT -5
Eloquentia Ludus
The young girl clears her throat nervously, waiting for the beginning of the broadcast. For the first time in her life, the Capitol is going to hear the name of Elque Ludus, the new Games Historian. Her hand clutches a few sheets of paper - her speech, reviewed and approved by her boss, learnt by heart. She looks through the pages again - each is highlighted in at least eight different colors, each revised several times. She has been seeing that text in her dreams for a week. She can't fail. Her performance must be stunning. Taking a deep breath, Elque closes her eyes and listens to the frantic heartbeat thumping in her ears.
One, two, three...
She is just a quiet girl with no real job experience. The nerd who drowns herself in research as a new topic appears on the horizon of her mind. She is the one who suggested to do a broadcast about volunteering and then dived into the safety of the Games records instead of building relationships with her new colleagues. She couldn't spare any time to try to fit in. This job is the cause of her sudden metamorphosis - for the first time since school she is involved in something she can relish. Elque cannot predict if the broadcast will go smoothly, she didn't even rehearse it with the team. But her brain keeps telling her over and over that she can't screw this up. Losing her current position would be her ultimate destruction - as a historian and a human likewise.
A few soothingly quiet moments of relaxation. Another breath. And - suddenly - a tap on the shoulder. It has begun. They are airing. Like a countdown, her heart is beating loudly and steadily. She is ready. Now is her time to shine.
Elque steps closer to the microphone, pale as a statue, but definitely not afraid of what is to come next.
"Good morning, our dear listeners! Here in the all-caps studio is our small analyst squad and we are doing a talk about volunteering in the Hunger Games. And I, Eloquentia Ludus, your new Games Historian, was given the honor to start this broadcast by giving you a few volunteer flashbacks from the past games.
Today I will be talking about the people who were brave enough to volunteer, to bring glory and honor to their districts. We all know it takes so much courage to take someone's place in the Games voluntarily. Don't we all feel excited when we hear those two magical words? "I volunteer!" Such a short phrase, yet it means so much. And everyone who was brave enough to say it aloud deserves to be remembered. So that is exactly what we are doing today - showing our appreciation of their sacrifice. As it is impossible to talk about all of them, I only selected a few stories to tell."
Breathe in - breathe out. And take a breath again. She has to breathe if she wants to make it until the end of the show. Until the end of this huge list. Names, names, names... She has to read them, from the first to the twenty-first. History does strange things to people. She had never known those tributes, she had never lived their lives, they broke into her world from the screen, shouting, killing each other, losing themselves for the sake of other's entertainment. And still they are important to her. Every single move they made, every single look, every breath... She is breathing in the memory of them and they are sharing her moment of stardom.
"The first one is my personal favorite, Cherry Grace. A district five female tribute in the 55th Hunger Games. The most touching thing about her is that she volunteered when she saw how desperate the reaped girl's sister was, in fact the poor woman was coughing up blood. Cherry did not only express her eagerness to defend the district's honor, but also supported her fellow district citizen which was a wonderful demonstration of sympathy and generousity.
However, that reaping wasn't nearly as thrilling as the one in district four in the very same games where Shanks Kensington volunteered as tribute. That was quite a show, am I right? He was only thirteen, but already well known in his district, the crowd was chanting his name the whole time! The Reaping was also marked by a touching kiss planted on the volunteer's lips by a charming lady - probably, an acquaintance of his."
Two faces are looking at her from her papers. A redhead girl and a teen boy. Rest in peace, you deserve it for your bravery...
"The next name on my list is definitely worth being remembered. Cha Leviane - the district eight volunteer and an older sister of the 75th Hunger Games victor. She might not have won the 68th games, but she definitely was an excellent example for Shelby who followed in her footsteps. I think Cha would certainly be proud of her younger sibling.
And of course, it would be impossible not to mention Ansel Khiev, the brave volunteer from district six. Not only did he manage to find the courage to take is place in the 77th annual Hunger Games, but he also was strong enough to survive until the seventh day of those Games, killing 6 other tributes on the way.
The next two tributes I am going to talk about are notable for coming from lower districts. There's no doubt that their heroic actions took guts, considering that the chances of a lower district winning are slim and they knew it well."
Another glance at the paper. Names, names, names... There was a time when they existed, breathing the air of Panem, fighting for their lives. And now all that's left of them is a mere memory.
"August Millory knew that too and still made one of the hardest choices imaginable. And so did all the volunteers from eleven - it is incredible, how many of them we have in that district.
I would also like to mention another memorable volunteer whom we all loved - the sweet fifteen year old Olivia Bell from district ten. So naive and charming and fond of her family!
District twelve has the smallest number of volunteers among the three lower districts. We have only had seven volunteers from there in the last twenty four years - Kale Forrest, Ailis Copper, Sierra Birdbrook, Jim Deer, Gaia Cross, Petra Vipointe, Sage Scarborough, Affron Williams."
Their names dart into the microphone from her dollish lips. With every sound she is sending a message to her audience. Like an actor who makes the same play come to life at every performance, she is an actor on the stage of history, reviving the memories again and again.
"The volunteers from lower districts are strong and courageous, but volunteers from career districts are the ones that should be feared most. Out of all the districts that raise skilled tributes, district two is the one with the biggest number of volunteers. Volunteering there achieved its peak in the seventy fifth hunger games and the second biggest number of volunteers was reached in the 70th games when two female tributes and one male tribute volunteered. Orion Hammerfell, Circe Lyon, Olivia Revenue.
Seeing a person volunteer and make their way through the Games is exciting, however, it is even more spectacular when another volunteer crosses their path. Battles among the bravest of the bravest do not occur too often, so they are rather memorable. A brilliant example of such a situation - the 73rd games bloodbath which was an astonishing sight. Wasn't it breathtaking, folks? The district one female volunteer, Renée Perdris met her tragic end from the hands of another volunteer - Percy Delacroix, the district nine tribute. But despite Percy's outstanding performance, she was destined to fall right after Renée. We could all witness the revenge of Renée's ally, Heathcliff Travers, who had also volunteered as tribute for his district.
The best way to conquer the hearts of everyone in Panem though is to not only volunteer, but also win. Only a few of them manage to achieve greatness, but it is not impossible. We all know that the victor of the most recent Hunger Games, Jacinta Salazar, is also a volunteer. Each and every volunteer is worthy of a victor's title and we always appreciate their sacrifice. It is remarkable to see that we have quite many brave souls in this year's Games. But, of course, it doesn't mean that those who had their names drawn are less loved here. After all, the Capitol is an incredibly welcoming city and we are excited to have twenty four young heroes here every year. I am loving the tributes we've got these Games and want to personally wish them the best of luck. Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor!"
Breathe in... Breathe out... The heroes have been talked about, the games have been replayed in her simple words. It is time now to remove the decorations and close the curtain. For today, Elque's dive into the past is finished.
