Chapter Text
When Toni Topaz won her games that was it, it was over free and clear she pushed it to the past never to think about it again. Of course there was the yearly reminder when some new kid swaggered through District Seven on their Victory Tour then she got sucked back in when the seventy fifth quarter quell was announced she still remembers it fresh in her mind as she rides the train back to her doom. “As a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the Capitol. On this, the third Quarter Quell Games, the male and female Tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of Victors in each district.” The words of President Evernever echo in her head as memories of the past come flooding back to her as the train flies across the country
In her bedroom
Toni lies on the silk sheets as she watches the reaping recap, from District One the brother sister duo of tinkerer Sam Blossom and archer queen Cheryl Blossom, Toni knew about the Blossoms. Jason was the eldest and strikingly handsome he’d volunteered too early at fifteen and then the next two years consecutively Sam and Cheryl volunteered. Sam had wooed the crowd with his music and brash attitude and Cheryl had won them over with her archery skills and pointed attitude. Toni didn’t care for the rest of the tributes highlights include Reggie Mantle from district four, Dilton Doiley and Ethel Muggs from District Three, Fangs Fogarty from District Two and Toni remembers these two because they were last years victors, Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper star crossed lovers who had to cancel their wedding on account of the Games
In Toni’s room
Toni looks at the window wanted to smash the glass and throw herself out of it then her stylists arrive she’s waxed, plucked, picked, prodded and washed before her designer arrives with a deep green dress with a wood coloured corset
In the carriage area
“How’d we get here, huh?” Toni asks stroking the horses neck
“Ah! Tiny Toni Topaz.” Sam Blossom jokes with stumble. “You want a sugar cube? I mean there supposed to be for the horses but they got plenty of time to eat sugar whereas you and me we see something sweet we better grab it quick.” He holds up a sugar cube while tossing one into his mouth crushing it between his perfect teeth
“Samuel Blossom the master swordsman and electrician apparently zapped almost all of his competition with a crude electrical trap.” Toni sniffs the air. “Still smell like the cat dragged you in last night.”
“Well I forgot how the showers worked and I was working out.” Sam smirks
“Still she’s right you stink.” Cheryl comments
“My sister Cheryl Bombshell.” Sam smirks
“So this is Toni Topaz. The girl who killed eight Tributes with two trees?” Cheryl asks
“That’s me.” Toni smiles sheepishly
‘Tributes mount up. Tributes, mount up.’ The male voices on the PA says
“Showtime.” Sam smirks as Cheryl walks away. “Meet me on the roof at midnight after you’ve changed and eaten.” He whispers in her ear
“I’ll be there.” Toni whispers back
“Fly Fleetwood.” Sam says to the horse as it pulls away
On the Avenue of the Tributes
Sam stares at the white haired man on the podium as the carriages perform one final loop of the Avenue before returning back up it
On the roof
“So what do you want?” Toni asks walking out onto the roof
“I wanted to share a cigarette with you. And to drink myself to death before training tomorrow.” Sam smirks
“I could go for a cigarette.” Toni says taking one of the offered cigarettes from the packet as Sam holds out his lighter striking it and lighting Toni’s cigarette
“When you’re kid this place seems so magical. The bright lights in the big city.” Sam says taking a drag from his cigarette.
“I know right.” Toni drawls taking a drag on her own cigarette
“God, these games are such bullshit.” Sam says taking out his flask and taking swig from it
“I know right. We were supposed to be one and done.” Toni says
“I actually never wanted to fight but I needed to restore the honour of my family after Jason’s death.” Sam says
In the training room
Toni walks in watching as Sam removes his leather jacket adopting for a more casual approach to training the two fist fighting peacekeepers strike out at him he ducks with surprising agility for a drunk he lashes out with a foot knocking the first fighter down he turns raising his fists he blocks left right left spinning he knocks the feet out from under the second fighter
“Friction generates heat. Heat generates fire. In theory.” Dilton says
“You should move your hands downward. And faster.” Betty advices sitting down with Dilton and Ethel before showing them how to create a fire with the stick as a wisp of smoke escapes the log
“A little brute force…” Ethel starts
“... is always helpful.” Dilton finishes. “Thank you.” He smiles
“By the corner of the table.” Ethel says looking at the slight shimmer like a heat wave
“Weatherbee?” Betty asks as Dilton lifts up his glasses
“No. Next to him.” Ethel corrects
“Forcefield.” Dilton states
“How do you know?” Betty asks
“The shimmering.” Dilton answers as if it’s obvious. “Top left hand side. Look. There.” He pushes Betty's face as she spots it just by Weatherbee’s head, a shimmering almost like a heatwave on a hot summer's day or light passing through pure crystal. “You see it?”
“Looks like glass.” Betty states
“To separate us and them.” Ethel says
“Probably my fault. I threw a knife at them last year.” Betty says
“Uh huh… electromagnetic.” Dilton says observing the forcefield
“How can you tell?” Betty asks, causing the other two to laugh. “Is it… is it obvious or something?”
“Is it obvious?” Dilton repeats
“They might as well have a sign.” Ethel says
“The lights, Betty, look at the lights. And the holograms. What keeps happening, what's always happening?” Sam asks having abandoned the sword fighting to come over for conversation
“They flicker why is that?” Betty asks
“Because the forcefield is drawing too much power. Causing everything else to lose power just for a second or two, like blip.” Sam explains
“Mr Blossom is right. There’s always a flaw in the system.” Dilton says
At the archery range
“You got this sis.” Sam encourages as the system boots up. As Cheryl begins going through the motions as Sam and Toni watch with rapture
“That was fucking beautiful.” Toni says
“That is my sister.” Sam remarks
“So how’d I do?” Cheryl asks
“Well you scored top marks and ruined Toni’s underwear but you don’t get bonus points for that.” Sam quips
“He’s joking right?” Cheryl asks
“No he’s really not.” Toni confirms