Mellark Residence | District 12 | *mumble mumble day time differences*
Ever since Peeta had gotten his acceptance to Fandom High there had been tension in the Mellark household. When the shiny brochure with a strange Mutt on the front slipped under the doorway of the bakery with Peeta’s name written on the cover the entire household wasn’t sure how to react.
Everyone in the family was sure it was a hoax created by the Capitol, though for different reasons. His father and Michetta, his oldest brother, were worried that the school had something more sinister behind it while his mother and brother Rhi were of the opinion that the Capitol just created the brochure to tease Peeta. After all, what kind of fancy private school would want someone like him?
Peeta had spent a lot of time looking at the brochure closely and something told him that this wasn’t a Capitol creation. When he expressed this to Michetta his brother didn’t look pleased, but told Peeta that if he felt like he needed to respond then he should. Encouraged by his brother, Peeta did send back a reply and shortly after received a welcoming letter telling him when and where to show up to start the semester. Peeta had kept the details of all of this secret to everyone but Michetta because he didn’t need his mother or Rhi mocking him for having to show up in a random part of the woods by himself to catch something called a portal.
He had explained that he would be leaving for the school and ever since then the family had been on eggshells. His mother took to mocking Peeta for his stupidity while his father kept giving him these sad looks and sneaking Peeta the fresher goods from the bakery during meals. Rhi, who had already been the most antagonistic of the three Mellark brothers, started fights and teased Peeta more often. So often, in fact, that Michetta had taken to following Peeta around District 12 so he wouldn’t be stuck with Rhi or their mother alone.
Michetta Mellark
"He’s jealous, you know," Michetta said as he and Peeta walked out of their shared bedroom and down the stairs to the kitchen. The portal thing Peeta was supposed to use would show up late in the night, long after the family retired to bed, so tonight was the last dinner they would have as a family for a while. "Rhi. He wishes it was him that got the invitation to Fandom."
Peeta Mellark
"I know," Peeta said in a low tone to keep the rest of the family below from hearing. "That's why I haven't been fighting back."
Michetta Mellark
Michetta smiled. "That and you know he'd kick your ass even worse if you tried."
Peeta Mellark
"That too,” Peeta said, chuckling. "I still don’t know how he got so good, not when he’s built like Mother."
They both couldn’t help but laugh at that, but it was cut short when they entered the kitchen. The three remaining Mellarks looked up at Peeta and Michetta, none of them looking particularly happy.
Mrs. Mellark
"You both took your time getting here, I see," Mrs. Mellark chided. "Michetta, wash up, I can see the flour under your fingernails."
Peeta Mellark
Peeta took a seat next to his father while his brother headed to the sink. Dinner was small; just rolls and rabbit stew but it made him smile. He was always happy when his father bought game from Katniss Everdeen. Peeta caught his father’s eye and got a sly wink in return.
Mr. Mellark
"Here Peeta," Mr. Mellark said, handing over the basket of rolls. The corner of a freshly baked one was sticking up among the bunch, meant for his youngest son, but the middle child spotted it and grabbed it first.
Rhi Mellark
"Thanks, Dad," Rhi said, smirking at his own cleverness. It had taken him several meals to figure out what was going on there with the fresh food and he was pleased when he got to stop it. He took a large bite of the roll and made a show of humming at the warmth and flavor the fresh bit of bread provided.
Michetta Mellark
"You’re an ass," Michetta said, nudging the back of Rhi’s head with his elbow as he sat down in his chair.
Mrs. Mellark
"Both of you shut up and eat," Mrs. Mellark said. She eyed her husband. "You stop it too."
Mr. Mellark
Mr. Mellark nodded in understanding and turned his attention to the stew. He was a kind man, but he made it a point never to get on his wife’s bad side, even when he probably should have.
Rhi Mellark
"So, Peeta," Rhi drawled, mouth still full of roll. "What time are you leaving for your shiny Capitol school? I’d love to see the hovercraft when it comes to pick you up."
Peeta Mellark
"Late. You’ll be asleep," Peeta said, knowing his brother wouldn’t bother getting up to see just how he would be leaving. Not when he had a long shift at the bakery to look forward to. "And I told you it’s not a Capitol school."
Mrs. Mellark
"Don’t be an idiot, boy," Mrs. Mellark said. "Well even more of an idiot. I still can’t believe you responded to the place…"
Rhi Mellark
"I bet it’s not even a school," Rhi said. "I bet you’ll get on that hovercraft and the Capitol will take you to a place to be used as target practice for Careers."
Mr. Mellark
Mr. Mellark made a pained noise under his breath and Peeta realized that Rhi wasn’t the only family member who believed that theory. "Rhi---"
Mrs. Mellark
"Rhi has a point," Mrs. Mellark interrupted. "And you were dumb enough to respond to their trick."
Peeta Mellark
"It’s not like that," Peeta insisted again. "The Capitol has nothing to do with it. It’s not public enough for them."
Mrs. Mellark
The table fell silent, knowing Peeta had a point. The Capitol would want District 12 to see what it could do to its children. Though there wasn’t any acknowledgement of that from Mrs. Mellark. "Well I hope you don’t think this means this gets you out of the Reaping. We will not be covering for you."
Peeta Mellark
"I’ll be here." Peeta had never seriously considered skipping out on the Reaping. For one, it would have put his family in danger. His entire family were already breaking the law by pulling him out of public school and keeping the fact he was leaving quiet. He was not sure why his mother and Rhi were playing along but he had the feeling his father had came out of his shell for a few moments and said something to make them agree.
And then there was the other reason. Peeta couldn’t skip the Reaping because it was unfair to everyone else under the age of eighteen in District 12. If they had to risk their lives every year for the Capitol’s entertainment then so should he. They were in this together and he would have never cheated his way out.
Rhi Mellark
"You better be here," Rhi said. He smiled. "You know, if the Capitol hasn’t already put a bullet through your head first for being an idiot."
Michetta Mellark
Michetta slammed his fist into the table. "Dammit Rhi-"
Mrs. Mellark
"Enough!" Mrs. Mellark shouted. "Michetta, Peeta, upstairs now!"
Peeta Mellark
Peeta hadn’t even done anything but he was relieved to have an excuse to leave. Even if he wanted to finish his dinner he wouldn’t have disobeyed his mother’s order. He had seen the consequences of that move one too many times. He pushed himself out of his chair and spared a glance at his untouched stew before following his brother up to their room.
"You should have ignored him."
Michetta Mellark
"I did. For a while," Michetta replied, his face still flushed from anger. "It’s just, the things he’s saying…"
Peeta Mellark
Peeta caught a sad tone in his brother’s voice and looked over at him, trying to read his face. "What about it?"
When Michetta didn’t answer Peeta frowned. "You think he has a point, don’t you?"
Michetta Mellark
"It’s not just me," Michetta said, but he gave Peeta a nod anyway. "Dad thinks it too. This whole thing is crazy, Peeta. No one escapes the Reaping. No one. And here you are, getting an out practically gift wrapped for you."
Peeta Mellark
"It’s not an out," Peeta said, walking over to his bed and shutting the suitcase that he had been packing before dinner. "I’ll be back for the Reaping."
Michetta still had one more Reaping to go before he turned eighteen and Rhi had two. Even if Peeta could somehow erase himself out of the lottery it was unthinkable to not be there for them if they got chosen as Tributes.
Michetta Mellark
"You don’t have to come back, you know," Michetta said quietly. "You could leave forever if you wanted. You know, if this thing works."
Peeta Mellark
"It will work, I know it will," Peeta said confidently. "And I can’t leave forever. Who will decorate the really elaborate cakes? You and Rhi are horrible at it."
Michetta Mellark
"That almost sounds like a brag. Cake frosting is not an impressive talent, little brother," Michetta said, shaking his head. "When are you leaving? I want to be there."
Peeta Mellark
Peeta shook his head. "You can’t go, the spot I’m supposed to wait at is just beyond the fence. It’s too dangerous."
Michetta Mellark
"What, you don’t think I can survive a few yards outside the fence?" Michetta asked. "I’m no Gale Hawthorne but I think I can manage."
Peeta Mellark
There was a short twinge of annoyance at the mention of Gale’s name but he had to concede to his brother’s point. The electric fence was hardly ever on anymore but the threat of it kept most of the wildlife at bay for at least a few yards outside of District 12. Peeta had never slipped through the holes in the fence before but he knew Katniss and Gale and a handful of other Seam residents did it every day. So if they could do it, so could he.
"I’ll wake you up before I go," Peeta promised. He gave his brother a smile. "Thank you, Michetta."
Michetta Mellark
"Don’t worry about it," Michetta said. "I just hope your gut instinct about this place is right."
Peeta Mellark
Peeta sighed. "I really hope so too."
[Look both seaweed_demigod and noapexpredator said they were good bread names. Anyway NFI, NFB but OOC's fine]
Everyone in the family was sure it was a hoax created by the Capitol, though for different reasons. His father and Michetta, his oldest brother, were worried that the school had something more sinister behind it while his mother and brother Rhi were of the opinion that the Capitol just created the brochure to tease Peeta. After all, what kind of fancy private school would want someone like him?
Peeta had spent a lot of time looking at the brochure closely and something told him that this wasn’t a Capitol creation. When he expressed this to Michetta his brother didn’t look pleased, but told Peeta that if he felt like he needed to respond then he should. Encouraged by his brother, Peeta did send back a reply and shortly after received a welcoming letter telling him when and where to show up to start the semester. Peeta had kept the details of all of this secret to everyone but Michetta because he didn’t need his mother or Rhi mocking him for having to show up in a random part of the woods by himself to catch something called a portal.
He had explained that he would be leaving for the school and ever since then the family had been on eggshells. His mother took to mocking Peeta for his stupidity while his father kept giving him these sad looks and sneaking Peeta the fresher goods from the bakery during meals. Rhi, who had already been the most antagonistic of the three Mellark brothers, started fights and teased Peeta more often. So often, in fact, that Michetta had taken to following Peeta around District 12 so he wouldn’t be stuck with Rhi or their mother alone.
Michetta Mellark
"He’s jealous, you know," Michetta said as he and Peeta walked out of their shared bedroom and down the stairs to the kitchen. The portal thing Peeta was supposed to use would show up late in the night, long after the family retired to bed, so tonight was the last dinner they would have as a family for a while. "Rhi. He wishes it was him that got the invitation to Fandom."
Peeta Mellark
"I know," Peeta said in a low tone to keep the rest of the family below from hearing. "That's why I haven't been fighting back."
Michetta Mellark
Michetta smiled. "That and you know he'd kick your ass even worse if you tried."
Peeta Mellark
"That too,” Peeta said, chuckling. "I still don’t know how he got so good, not when he’s built like Mother."
They both couldn’t help but laugh at that, but it was cut short when they entered the kitchen. The three remaining Mellarks looked up at Peeta and Michetta, none of them looking particularly happy.
Mrs. Mellark
"You both took your time getting here, I see," Mrs. Mellark chided. "Michetta, wash up, I can see the flour under your fingernails."
Peeta Mellark
Peeta took a seat next to his father while his brother headed to the sink. Dinner was small; just rolls and rabbit stew but it made him smile. He was always happy when his father bought game from Katniss Everdeen. Peeta caught his father’s eye and got a sly wink in return.
Mr. Mellark
"Here Peeta," Mr. Mellark said, handing over the basket of rolls. The corner of a freshly baked one was sticking up among the bunch, meant for his youngest son, but the middle child spotted it and grabbed it first.
Rhi Mellark
"Thanks, Dad," Rhi said, smirking at his own cleverness. It had taken him several meals to figure out what was going on there with the fresh food and he was pleased when he got to stop it. He took a large bite of the roll and made a show of humming at the warmth and flavor the fresh bit of bread provided.
Michetta Mellark
"You’re an ass," Michetta said, nudging the back of Rhi’s head with his elbow as he sat down in his chair.
Mrs. Mellark
"Both of you shut up and eat," Mrs. Mellark said. She eyed her husband. "You stop it too."
Mr. Mellark
Mr. Mellark nodded in understanding and turned his attention to the stew. He was a kind man, but he made it a point never to get on his wife’s bad side, even when he probably should have.
Rhi Mellark
"So, Peeta," Rhi drawled, mouth still full of roll. "What time are you leaving for your shiny Capitol school? I’d love to see the hovercraft when it comes to pick you up."
Peeta Mellark
"Late. You’ll be asleep," Peeta said, knowing his brother wouldn’t bother getting up to see just how he would be leaving. Not when he had a long shift at the bakery to look forward to. "And I told you it’s not a Capitol school."
Mrs. Mellark
"Don’t be an idiot, boy," Mrs. Mellark said. "Well even more of an idiot. I still can’t believe you responded to the place…"
Rhi Mellark
"I bet it’s not even a school," Rhi said. "I bet you’ll get on that hovercraft and the Capitol will take you to a place to be used as target practice for Careers."
Mr. Mellark
Mr. Mellark made a pained noise under his breath and Peeta realized that Rhi wasn’t the only family member who believed that theory. "Rhi---"
Mrs. Mellark
"Rhi has a point," Mrs. Mellark interrupted. "And you were dumb enough to respond to their trick."
Peeta Mellark
"It’s not like that," Peeta insisted again. "The Capitol has nothing to do with it. It’s not public enough for them."
Mrs. Mellark
The table fell silent, knowing Peeta had a point. The Capitol would want District 12 to see what it could do to its children. Though there wasn’t any acknowledgement of that from Mrs. Mellark. "Well I hope you don’t think this means this gets you out of the Reaping. We will not be covering for you."
Peeta Mellark
"I’ll be here." Peeta had never seriously considered skipping out on the Reaping. For one, it would have put his family in danger. His entire family were already breaking the law by pulling him out of public school and keeping the fact he was leaving quiet. He was not sure why his mother and Rhi were playing along but he had the feeling his father had came out of his shell for a few moments and said something to make them agree.
And then there was the other reason. Peeta couldn’t skip the Reaping because it was unfair to everyone else under the age of eighteen in District 12. If they had to risk their lives every year for the Capitol’s entertainment then so should he. They were in this together and he would have never cheated his way out.
Rhi Mellark
"You better be here," Rhi said. He smiled. "You know, if the Capitol hasn’t already put a bullet through your head first for being an idiot."
Michetta Mellark
Michetta slammed his fist into the table. "Dammit Rhi-"
Mrs. Mellark
"Enough!" Mrs. Mellark shouted. "Michetta, Peeta, upstairs now!"
Peeta Mellark
Peeta hadn’t even done anything but he was relieved to have an excuse to leave. Even if he wanted to finish his dinner he wouldn’t have disobeyed his mother’s order. He had seen the consequences of that move one too many times. He pushed himself out of his chair and spared a glance at his untouched stew before following his brother up to their room.
"You should have ignored him."
Michetta Mellark
"I did. For a while," Michetta replied, his face still flushed from anger. "It’s just, the things he’s saying…"
Peeta Mellark
Peeta caught a sad tone in his brother’s voice and looked over at him, trying to read his face. "What about it?"
When Michetta didn’t answer Peeta frowned. "You think he has a point, don’t you?"
Michetta Mellark
"It’s not just me," Michetta said, but he gave Peeta a nod anyway. "Dad thinks it too. This whole thing is crazy, Peeta. No one escapes the Reaping. No one. And here you are, getting an out practically gift wrapped for you."
Peeta Mellark
"It’s not an out," Peeta said, walking over to his bed and shutting the suitcase that he had been packing before dinner. "I’ll be back for the Reaping."
Michetta still had one more Reaping to go before he turned eighteen and Rhi had two. Even if Peeta could somehow erase himself out of the lottery it was unthinkable to not be there for them if they got chosen as Tributes.
Michetta Mellark
"You don’t have to come back, you know," Michetta said quietly. "You could leave forever if you wanted. You know, if this thing works."
Peeta Mellark
"It will work, I know it will," Peeta said confidently. "And I can’t leave forever. Who will decorate the really elaborate cakes? You and Rhi are horrible at it."
Michetta Mellark
"That almost sounds like a brag. Cake frosting is not an impressive talent, little brother," Michetta said, shaking his head. "When are you leaving? I want to be there."
Peeta Mellark
Peeta shook his head. "You can’t go, the spot I’m supposed to wait at is just beyond the fence. It’s too dangerous."
Michetta Mellark
"What, you don’t think I can survive a few yards outside the fence?" Michetta asked. "I’m no Gale Hawthorne but I think I can manage."
Peeta Mellark
There was a short twinge of annoyance at the mention of Gale’s name but he had to concede to his brother’s point. The electric fence was hardly ever on anymore but the threat of it kept most of the wildlife at bay for at least a few yards outside of District 12. Peeta had never slipped through the holes in the fence before but he knew Katniss and Gale and a handful of other Seam residents did it every day. So if they could do it, so could he.
"I’ll wake you up before I go," Peeta promised. He gave his brother a smile. "Thank you, Michetta."
Michetta Mellark
"Don’t worry about it," Michetta said. "I just hope your gut instinct about this place is right."
Peeta Mellark
Peeta sighed. "I really hope so too."
[Look both seaweed_demigod and noapexpredator said they were good bread names. Anyway NFI, NFB but OOC's fine]