Making a reputation ((Lucy/Open))

Lucy didn’t know what she was doing by the lake. She hadn’t been here since her best friend Eleanor had died in the Hunger Games two years ago. Lucy had never been able to get the images out of her head, the image of Eleanor’s face as her name was read out at the reaping. The image of the still crowd, listening for anyone to volunteer. The image of Eleanor’s eyes, meeting hers, begging her to save her from the gruesome death that would surely meet her. And most of all, the image of the television screen, showing her oldest friend being speared to death.

So what was Lucy doing here? It was a place that she and Eleanor came to every evening- that is, before that fateful day. She didn’t know. She wanted Eleanor’s friendly smile, her attentive expression, the comfort of knowing that someone was always there for her. But now… there was no-one for her. Her father had drowned and her mother… that was a different story.

She sat down on the rocks, let life overwhelm her and let a tear run down her cheek.

"I'm not done talking to you Mal!" Mallory's father said as she started to back towards the door.
"I get it daddy! No more than a few miles and be back by supper, I get it! I promise I will try to get some practice in too! Can I please go now?" the girl nearly pleaded, one hand on the door knob, ready to run out the door the moment he consented.
The older man sighed and waved his hand in a motion for her to leave. She didn't waste time in dashing out the door, calling, "Thank you, daddy!" over her shoulder.
As soon as she was out the front door and out of view of the windows, Mallory pulled her leather boots off, stashing them behind a bush before walking down the path to the lake. It had been quite a while since she had been there and with it being a non-school day, most would be at the docks working right now so she had very little desire to try to navigate through that chaos.
Feeling strangely anxious today, Mallory started running to down the path hoping not to run into anyone she knew along the way. It just wasn't one of those days. Today she wanted peace. Quiet. Was that really too much for a girl to ask? Her pace slowed as she approached the lakefront. It looked like most of the very few people were on the opposite side of the lake. The only person close was a girl who looked vaguely familiar and appeared to be rather upset about something.
Of course she was. People around her always seemed to have something or another to be upset about. Not her though. She got rather lucky. Life was good to Mallory Freeman. Everything she could ever need was provided for her. Never would she worry about a meal or safety or anything like that. Mallory had nothing to be sad about.
Well… she could go around moping about her mother and father. There wasn’t a point though. What would her being dejected about something she couldn’t change accomplish? Sure, she wished she knew them but Mallory had two wonderful parents and no matter how melancholy she became, her father would still be dead and her mother would still be a capitol Avox.
“Um, are you alright?” Mallory questioned before mentally kicking herself for how clichéd her query was. Biting her lip, the young, red headed girl walked closer and sat down on a rock. Sympathy wasn’t exactly her strong suit due to her ‘pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep walking forward’ attitude. The girl, however, probably didn't want that kind of advice so she could certainly try to listen and comfort her. “I don’t mean to be nosy, just trying to help… but I could leave if you wanted,” Mallory tacked on uncertainly.

From the corner of her eye, Lucy could see a small, red-headed girl approach her. The girl seemed to be deep in thought. Lucy thought that she had seen her around- not surprising really, seeing as most District 4 children knew each other from years of anxiety and hard work. Waiting for the interrogation that was sure to come, she looked down and closed her eyes.

“Um, are you alright?” the red-head asked. Lucy looked up at her, wondering what to say. Where to begin? Of course, she wasn’t alright, but what could she say? Well, saying ‘Hi, my best friend and my father are dead and my mother is crazy. How are you?’ was one way to kill a conversation. She didn’t mean to be rude, but she was lost for words. A million different replies were zooming around her head, but none of them seemed exactly, well, right.

“I don’t mean to be nosy, just trying to help… but I could leave if you wanted,” the red-head added nervously after a minute’s awkward silence had passed. Lucy decided to try to tell this strange, conversational girl about what had happened.

“Did you know a girl called Eleanor Crestis a few years ago? She lived here. That is, until the reaping of the 13th Hunger Games. She died. Killed dead by the District 2 tribute. I knew her. Very well. She was my best friend” said Lucy in one go, trying to get it all out. She couldn’t say all of it though. Not the bit about her parents. That was too much.

Now, what did she think about conversation killers?

OOC: How old is your character and Eleanor? Just trying to figure out if they might have had classes together or something

“Did you know a girl called Eleanor Crestis a few years ago?"
Mallory nodded to acknowledge that she did as the girl continued. She hadn't known the girl too well but they had been acquainted and had spoken upon occasion. Mallory had always had the impression that she was a very nice girl.
"She lived here. That is, until the reaping of the 13th Hunger Games. She died. Killed dead by the District 2 tribute. I knew her. Very well. She was my best friend”
Mallory smiled softly and nodded. "You must be so proud of her! It must have been a lot of pressure following Mags but at least she made it to the second day. My daddy was a bit disappointed. He was hoping we would win again but..." the girl shrugged, "It just wasn't meant to be! Eleanor died an honorable death though. That was my first reaping and I was scared I would get called because I knew I didn’t have enough training yet to win and there would be so much pressure," Mallory finished her rambling.
Pulling her knees to her chest and resting her chin there, Mallory started to get lost in her thoughts as she remembered the night the first of the district four tributes had died. Eleanor Crestis. That had been her first reaping year. The twelve year old Mallory had been so nervous on the reaping day.
When Eleanor Crestis had been speared to death, she was sitting next to her father in his study with five peacekeepers and her momma. They had been allowed to stay in the house with the television due to the young girl's mother's failing health. She had cried when she watched Eleanor die. Mallory had cried and embarrassed her father in front of five peacekeepers who poked fun at her the rest of the evening. After they had left her father had sat her down and gave her a very stern talking to.

(OOC- My character is 14 and Eleanor would be too if she was still alive )

"You must be so proud of her! It must have been a lot of pressure following Mags but at least she made it to the second day. My daddy was a bit disappointed. He was hoping we would win again but… it just wasn't meant to be! Eleanor died an honourable death though. That was my first reaping and I was scared I would get called because I knew I didn’t have enough training yet to win and there would be so much pressure," the other girl’s rambling died away. Lucy’s scrambled brain tried to process what the other girl had said.

“I was proud, I guess. I was ashamed of myself, though. I didn’t see her death. Heard about it afterwards. I’d promised her that I would watch every minute of it! It was the only thing that kept her going, that promise. And I broke it!” Lucy stood up and walked in a circle, pulling at her hair.

“I was out, fishing for some food. I was the only one in my family that was able to- I still am, really. It was the only way that we would survive. But even so, coming home to hear it, to hear that she’d died…” she took a deep breath. “I felt like I’d failed her. I felt like all the years that we had spent together had gone to dust. What use are promises if I can’t even keep them? I still blame myself, even now, two years later.” she let out. It felt good to tell someone about one of her many problems, even if it was hard.
Lucy glanced sideways at the other girl.
“Wouldn’t you?”

((Um... You kind of contradicted yourself. In your first post you said the image of her being speared to death. Also it says in the books that every person was forced to watch the games every day and night in the town square and anyone who was caught doing otherwise without being on their deathbed was brutally punished. The only reason Mallory was able to get away with it was because her mother was on her deathbed and her father was the mayor which gave them privileges))

(( I meant that she saw 'the image' when the death replays were shown at the victor interview after the Games. Oh and it was the reaping that they had to attend, not the showing of the actual Games.))

((Hmm... That's odd. I distinctly remember reading it in one of the books. I'll have to go back and look for curiosity's sake. That was kind of the whole point of the games... To make them watch as their children died as a reminder of the rebellion))

“I was proud, I guess. I was ashamed of myself, though. I didn’t see her death. Heard about it afterwards. I’d promised her that I would watch every minute of it! It was the only thing that kept her going, that promise. And I broke it!”
Mallory raised an arched, thin eyebrow as she continued to listen as the girl started to walk in a circle and pull her hair. In Mallory's opinion, it made her look ridiculous! Like a caged animal trying to find a way out despite knowing it never would be able to.
“I was out, fishing for some food. I was the only one in my family that was able to- I still am, really. It was the only way that we would survive. But even so, coming home to hear it, to hear that she’d died… I felt like I’d failed her. I felt like all the years that we had spent together had gone to dust. What use are promises if I can’t even keep them? I still blame myself, even now, two years later.”
With a sideways glance the girl finished with a "Wouldn't you?"
Mallory bit the fingernail on her left thumb like she always did whenever she was considering how to phrase something correctly. The situation had her at a loss. Sure, the red headed girl knew what she wanted to say... but what Mallory wanted to tell the girl wouldn't exactly come across too nicely. So she sat there for the span of almost two minutes before answering the young distressed girl. They were probably about the same age but Mallory saw her as a child in that moment.
"No. I wouldn't blame myself. You must have been fairly hungry not to attend the showing even though everyone is supposed to. That's what the games are for. Even my momma did," Most people in surrounding areas knew about the mayor's wife's failing health. The woman was a fighter but ever since she gave birth she had gradually been getting weaker with each passing year. Now she could hardly leave the house. Mallory continued her speech, "If you were truly that hungry and she was truly your friend she wouldn't have held it against you. I knew Eleanor alright, she sat in front of me in class. I don't think she would have held it against you if you were starving. You should have kept your promise though. That's what good people do, keep promises," Mallory said knowing her wording was awful. But it was the best she could do and it was honestly how she felt on the matter. In her opinion the girl needed to grow up and stop dwelling on the past.

"No. I wouldn't blame myself. You must have been fairly hungry not to attend the showing even though everyone is supposed to. That's what the games are for. Even my momma did," said the other girl.
Lucy vaguely remembered that the Mayor’s wife was growing more ill as time went on.

"If you were truly that hungry and she was truly your friend she wouldn't have held it against you. I knew Eleanor alright, she sat in front of me in class. I don't think she would have held it against you if you were starving. You should have kept your promise though. That's what good people do, keep promises," continued the red-headed girl.
Lucy remembered where she knew the girl from- she was the Mayor’s daughter. She was lost for words. It felt as if someone had slapped her. Soon, anger replaced her shock and she snapped.

“Great. So I come out here to get some peace and quiet, trying to have some time away from all the stress of being at home. And what do I get instead? Some girl who has never known being hungry or being helpless giving me life lessons on how to be good!” She blew out a breath and took in the cool air.

“Some girl whose biggest problem is keeping the big, bad reputation of being the Mayor’s daughter, ooh, as big and as bad as it should be! You don’t know what it’s like to be anywhere near starving! And then you look at me like I’m the child! Don’t think you can tell me how to be a good person. You picked the wrong girl.” Lucy snapped, her voice increasing in volume and shattering the tranquillity of the lake.
Then she realised exactly what she had said and who she had said it to.

“Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” she added on awkwardly and stepped towards the other girl.

“Great. So I come out here to get some peace and quiet, trying to have some time away from all the stress of being at home. And what do I get instead? Some girl who has never known being hungry or being helpless giving me life lessons on how to be good!
“Some girl whose biggest problem is keeping the big, bad reputation of being the Mayor’s daughter, ooh, as big and as bad as it should be! You don’t know what it’s like to be anywhere near starving! And then you look at me like I’m the child! Don’t think you can tell me how to be a good person. You picked the wrong girl."
Mallory listened to the girl's rant quietly, rather irritated by her words. Who was she to judge hardship? Starvation was not the only ill fortune one could have on them. Mallory had one friend and he was a peacekeeper. She wasn't accepted. Mallory was sworn to secrecy concerning her greatest misfortune of all. Her father was executed and her mother was an Avox. But she had parents who loved her. No. The real two catastrophes causing distress in her life were her momma's failing health and the fact that one day she would be in the games. No ifs, ands, or, buts.
Mallory looked up again when the girl said, “Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Her words made Mallory laugh just a bit. "No. You shouldn't have. Especially considering the fact that my best friend is a peacekeeper. Starvation isn't the only ill fortune one could experience though. You are in no position to judge me; I didn't ask for it. Once you behave like an adult I will have reason to see you as one but right now you act as if you are a mere child."
Mallory stood up and stretched her arms before saying, "Enjoy your peace then. I would like mine too and it obviously isn't here with you."
After a moment, the red head decided to go home and get her coin purse so she could get berries and venison for her momma. It had always been the woman's favorite and the whole conversation that had just taken place had put Mallory in a giving mood.

“Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” added Lucy.

"No. You shouldn't have. Especially considering the fact that my best friend is a peacekeeper. Starvation isn't the only ill fortune one could experience though. You are in no position to judge me; I didn't ask for it. Once you behave like an adult I will have reason to see you as one but right now you act as if you are a mere child." replied Mallory.

"Enjoy your peace then. I would like mine too and it obviously isn't here with you." she finished and started to walk away.

“I said I was sorry.” Lucy called after her. “I might have been out of line but threats are even lower than I am. And I’m not the only one who isn’t in a position to judge. Sometimes, you find that the deeper you look, the more you see. Consider that the next time you meet someone who is worse off than you. Oh and one last thing. You’re right. Starvation isn’t the only ill fortune.”

“I said I was sorry!” the girl called after Mallory. “I might have been out of line but threats are even lower than I am. And I’m not the only one who isn’t in a position to judge. Sometimes, you find that the deeper you look, the more you see. Consider that the next time you meet someone who is worse off than you. Oh and one last thing. You’re right. Starvation isn’t the only ill fortune.” the girl yelled.
Mallory turned on her heel not able to hold back a response. The red-headed girl hadn’t the chance to walk too far away yet and was still within easy talking distance.
After taking a deep, calming breath she replied, “Firstly, I did not threaten you. I was merely agreeing and stating an explanation as to why. There was no threat attached to my statement and I apologize if it came across in that manner.
“Next, you put me in a position to judge by asking my opinion. Therefore, you are indeed the only one who is not in a position to judge. And lastly, you really ought to take your own advice! Social position does not determine ‘who is worse off’ as you put it. I have not asked for your judgments concerning my life and I would really appreciate if you would refrain from making them,” Mallory had been counting her three points off and her fingers as she spoke, her face reddening as it always did when she was angry about something.
The girl took another deep breath and waited a few moments to calm down before continuing, “Just because I am the mayor’s daughter doesn’t mean I have it easier than everyone else. I may not experience certain difficulties for a while or maybe never. Such as starvation, I will probably not experience that in my immediate future. Hopefully, I never will but there is the possibility,” she said shrugging. Mallory was referring to being ready for the games of course but she was vague enough that only her family or best friend would understand her meaning.
“Being the mayor’s daughter has meant hardships for me that you will never experience though. For example, I am required to keep up an image at all times. Slipping up is not an option. I will never get to be like all the other kids. Should I live to that age, I will never get to choose whom I marry because there is the possibility he would be the next mayor if my daddy doesn’t have a boy. But the chances of that are slim because the chance I will live that long are slight anyway. So don’t you dare speak to me in that manner! I will not stand hear and listen to you judge me as if you have lived even a day of my life! I understand that you have experienced hardship but that doesn't give you a right to take it out on me or compare my life to yours.” Mallory’s voice had gradually risen in volume as her rant continued. Her facial expression hadn’t changed from that of mildly interested though. Her tone never wavered and her eyes were hard as stone.

((Sorry it’s taken me a few days to reply- I’ve been ill in bed ))

“Firstly, I did not threaten you. I was merely agreeing and stating an explanation as to why. There was no threat attached to my statement and I apologize if it came across in that manner. “ started Mallory.
“Next, you put me in a position to judge by asking my opinion. Therefore, you are indeed the only one who is not in a position to judge. And lastly, you really ought to take your own advice! Social position does not determine ‘who is worse off’ as you put it. I have not asked for your judgments concerning my life and I would really appreciate if you would refrain from making them,”
“Just because I am the mayor’s daughter doesn’t mean I have it easier than everyone else. I may not experience certain difficulties for a while or maybe never. Such as starvation, I will probably not experience that in my immediate future. Hopefully, I never will but there is the possibility,”
“Being the mayor’s daughter has meant hardships for me that you will never experience though. For example, I am required to keep up an image at all times. Slipping up is not an option. I will never get to be like all the other kids. Should I live to that age, I will never get to choose whom I marry because there is the possibility he would be the next mayor if my daddy doesn’t have a boy. But the chances of that are slim because the chance I will live that long are slight anyway. So don’t you dare speak to me in that manner! I will not stand hear and listen to you judge me as if you have lived even a day of my life! I understand that you have experienced hardship but that doesn't give you a right to take it out on me or compare my life to yours.” she finished.

Well. That was a lot to take in at once. Lucy paused for a moment before replying.

“Firstly,” she answered, mimicking the other girl’s tone. “You implicated a threat. ’You shouldn't have. Especially considering the fact that my best friend is a peacekeeper’ is what I would call a threat. If that isn’t a threat in your eyes, then goodness knows what is. Also, you only have three slips in the reaping ball. What about the rest of us, who have to take tesserae to keep their family alive?”.

She gave a sigh and looked worn.

“Look, I’m too tired to argue. I didn’t come here to start a fight. We’ll just have to agree to disagree. If you want to stay here and not throw insults at each other, then that’s fine. You can stay here with me for as long as you want. It’s your decision. Because I’m happy with that. Choose.” Lucy stated , letting the other girl have a chance at a truce, if not extending a hand of friendship.


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“Firstly, you implicated a threat. ’You shouldn't have. Especially considering the fact that my best friend is a peacekeeper’ is what I would call a threat. If that isn’t a threat in your eyes, then goodness knows what is. Also, you only have three slips in the reaping ball. What about the rest of us, who have to take tesserae to keep their family alive? Look, I’m too tired to argue. I didn’t come here to start a fight. We’ll just have to agree to disagree. If you want to stay here and not throw insults at each other, then that’s fine. You can stay here with me for as long as you want. It’s your decision. Because I’m happy with that. Choose.”
Mallory groaned. Everyone always seemed to use that against her even though it really wasn’t true. In reality, it was far from true. She had just as must, if not more slips than every other kid her age. Eighteen slips of paper with her name on it this year. Eighteen chances for her to be a tribute in the hunger games this year. Eighteen chances that this would be her last birthday. The stupid, ignorant girl just had to go and bring that up!
After closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose for a solid minute, Mallory reopened her eyes, a cool anger about her, and stared at the girl with an iron gaze. “I have eighteen slips in the reaping this year. My family doesn’t need tesserae to live but other families do. I take out tesserae to keep other families alive. That is my job as the mayor’s daughter. To lay down my life so others don’t have to. You have a fairly good chance of never being in the games. I don’t. I have a one out of twenty four chance in living to my nineteenth birthday. You are the face of ignorance itself!
I didn’t ask to start a fight either. You are the one who flung accusations with me. I do not ‘agree to disagree’ as you put it. Your views are incorrect until you change your ignorant ways I would much prefer to spend my time elsewhere!”
She stared at the girl for a few moments more before turning and walking quickly down the path and back to her house. Mallory pulled her boots out from behind the bush and pulled them on before running up the stairs and grabbing her coin purse. “Daddy! I’m going to get berries and venison from the market for momma; do you want anything?” the girl called as she walked down the hall.

“I have eighteen slips in the reaping this year. My family doesn’t need tesserae to live but other families do. I take out tesserae to keep other families alive. That is my job as the mayor’s daughter. To lay down my life so others don’t have to. You have a fairly good chance of never being in the games. I don’t. I have a one out of twenty four chance in living to my nineteenth birthday. You are the face of ignorance itself!
I didn’t ask to start a fight either. You are the one who flung accusations with me. I do not ‘agree to disagree’ as you put it. Your views are incorrect until you change your ignorant ways I would much prefer to spend my time elsewhere!” Mallory ranted, spun and stormed off.

‘Well,’ thought Lucy to herself, ‘I gave her a chance. A chance for two girls, obviously both with issues to sit quietly and talk about other things. If she wants to throw it back into my face, then that is more than fine!’ She got up, walked to the edge of the lake and started skimming stones.

As she let the gentle ‘splosh’ of the water cool her seething mind, she thought about the other girl’s final response before she had ungratefully flounced off, her hair floating behind her.

18 slips? She thought that was a lot? This year, Lucy had nearly 30 slips in the reaping ball, all with her name on them. She had vowed that her little sisters and her one little brother would never have to take tesserae. With her father dead and her mother… out of it, Lucy had been the main provider of the family’s meals since she could walk. Every day, after school, she had been helping on the boats to earn what little cash she could to feed her family. And she supposedly had a ‘fairly good chance of never being in the Games’? In another life, maybe.

The face of ignorance? Why, that girl was ignorant herself! She might have known what it was like to see a mother suffering, but coming home to see blood on the floor and lines all over her mother’s wrists is an entirely different thing! She didn’t know what it was like to have to clean up the blood and console her anguished mother in the minutes before her siblings come home! She had taken everything the wrong way. Lucy might have said some things that were insulting, but she wasn’t the only one that had been out of order. The fact that Mallory had said that Lucy’s ‘views are incorrect’ was another thing entirely. Sure, she was only a worthless citizen of District 4, but wasn’t every person entitled to their own opinion?
Lucy gave an irritated grumble and continued to skim stones. She could feel the eyes of the animals around her watching her. And she couldn’t cope with it any more.

“What is it? Is it someone else coming to spite me? Someone else coming to tell me that I’m wrong? All I need is the company of someone who is someone who is sympathetic or someone who understands, but apparently that’s too much to ask for in this world!” she shouted to the sky, and watched as the gulls skimming the lake spooked and took off into the evening sky.