covey!reader in the quarter quell (the performance ratings!!)
hey guys!! I’m finally backk <33 I’m soso sorry for the long wait for this, hopefully someone still wants this!! school and life got really intense there for a sec but I think I’m in the clear now so be prepared for lots more to come!!
summary: reader is now forced to go through with the rating system prior to the games, and with some new found anger, she shows off her skills in a very special way
ships: finnick odair x reader, johanna mason x reader
this is honestly not very good writing (especially the dialogue), but i still hope some for you still enjoy my yapping anyway!! anyways, hope you enjoy!!
The week leading up to the performance ratings was an eerie time for every tribute. Yes, people were preparing like they had in their games prior- but no one really wanted to. You, especially, found yourself talking to the likes of Katniss and Peeta more than spending time flinging around a sword, or learning how to properly start a fire. But when Mags, the sweet lady from Finnick’s district, approached you, you felt willing to learn some sort of skill from her-- even if it was just tying a knot.
There was no real dialogue during your conversation, but it was important nonetheless. She’d been in the games right after Lucy- you’d remembered that. You could tell she knew something-- wanted to say it too, something important. The look he gave you, shiny eyes staring into yours. She motioned to your face, a light motion. It took you a second to understand her notions, but then… She wanted you to sing. Of course! Lucy had been every girl’s idol, you knew that for certain. The girls would listen to her sing, mesmerized by such a voice as hers. Not only a year later that voice was taken from them- unexpectedly, when she’d gone missing. It would be no surprise that Mags had heard Lucy sing.
“Oh… sure, Mags. You might know this one-- it’s something she used to sing.”
Mags gave you a light smile, gesturing for you to start. You normally would be standing on the Covey’s rickety old stage, guitar in hand. But despite that you swallowed, briefly looking around before starting to sing quietly. You felt Mag's cold hand grab yours, increasing your comfort.
You're headed for heaven, the sweet old hereafter
And I've got one foot in the door
But before I can fly up, I've loose ends to tie up
Right here, in the old there-before
You continued singing, the lyrics slipping easily from your tongue. You smiled, the feeling of performing coming back to you after so long of silence. These games had momentarily taken your will to sing, and now that you’d started you didn’t want to stop- like a bird flying for the first time.
When I'm pure like a dove
When I've learned how to love
Right here, in the old there-before
When nothing is left anymore
You smiled at Mags, finding an endearing look on her face- a small tear dropping from her wrinkled face. To your side were the lovebirds- one Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, sitting on a bench facing you with an awed expression on their faces. Johanna Mason stood behind them, a smile and raised eyebrows towards you adorning her features. She started walking towards you, passing the recent winners before coming to a stop in front of you.
“I knew you could sing, Songbird- but wow. You certainly are a showgirl in my eyes.”
An arm was wrapped around you from your left. “Mine too. You were phenomenal, darling. What song was that?”
Johanna rolled her eyes from in front of you, crossing her arms in the process. “Don’t you have something’ better to do, Odair?”
Finnick let out a laugh, almost a giggle, leaning his head on your shoulder. “What, didya think you were Y/N’s only fan? That’s not really possible, with the talent she’s got.”
You smiled at both of them, unaware of the arising tension. A stare off match was now occurring, though out of your view point (Finnick’s head being placed almost directly on top of you). “Thank you guys, I appreciate it. Mags wanted to hear something, and I missed the rush of performing, if I’m honest.”
Finnick smirked, something scandalous becoming his next bright idea. “You know you can also get an adrenaline rush if you-”
Attention tributes-- please begin to prepare yourself for the performance rating process. Similar to prior years, you will be placed in order of district. The male tribute will start, followed by the female tribute of the same district. Note that these scores will give you more opportunities to gain help from outside sources- please keep that in mind during your scheduled time. Good luck.
Suddenly flung out of your performing-induced daze, you sighed, shaking your head. The others, too, seemed to be awoken from any prior confort they’d been feeling. Now, all they felt was the dread they’d felt those years before. What hope they’d had before, if any, had vanished at the prospects of the ratings.
Everyone was then, in a mannerly order, district by district, taken to a confined room, steel walls surrounding. Benches had been placed for the tributes' comfort, but most of everyone who was able found themselves pacing, awaiting their turn in the larger room directly attached to the ones they found themselves in. You, however, stood quietly in the left corner of the space, farthest from the door. Johanna, who’d been pacing like the others, noticed you, and walked over before slumping against a wall near you. She stared, her eyes tracing your face. She gave you a look. A sympathetic one, letting you know she knew how you felt. She didn’t say anything, though. She simply grabbed your hand, intertwining your fingers. While the movement itself was quick and rushed, the feeling was soft and sweet. Neither of you said anything, caught in your own thoughts. It was enough to have someone to be with for the time being. Enough to have someone who knew what you were going through. The two of you continued to hold hands, occasionally brushing a thumb across the other's skin for some sort of momentary comfort.
Every once and a while the doors to said room would open, and the next tribute would enter. You watched as Finnick’s name got called, winking your way before entering. Shortly after, it was Johanna’s turn. She looked over at you, giving you a somber smile, slightly swaying your attached hands. You smiled, giving her hand a squeeze, before letting go. It was a sweet moment. With a sweet girl. There was no doubt that you felt nervous about this new feeling. But there was no time for that. The comforts of crushes and romance were stripped away at the prospects of The Games. But it was nice to enjoy this while you could. No matter what happened, you knew. You knew that there would only be one victor. Last year, with Katniss and Peeta, it had been an exception. One that had left the Capital with a mess to clean up. Meaning, in all reality, it would never happen again. Meaning that whatever could grow between you and a tribute wouldn’t. You hated the games for that. It took away your chance to live. You hated Snow more than anything. He’d been the cause, and that was one thing you knew for certain. No matter how the games started, Snow continued it. He fought to bring them something of mass entertainment, so sure of himself. And dear Lucy Gray. She was gone because of him, too. The amount of pain he’d caused for so many years was unimaginable. There were so many people dead under his account. The Covey were never a violent type of people in any respect. But when it came down to it, they were a stubborn group. They would do anything if they put their minds to it. They’d insist on change till they got it. So, in some respects, their stubbornness could be so much worse than some violence in the eye of a challenge.
With your partner's turn ending, you arose from your spot, making your way to the open door. With a breath, you put on that charming smile of yours, entering the examination room. The glass room above held many familiar faces. That main one, however, being Snow.
“I’m supposed to be showing you guys a skill… right? Like demonstrating it for you?” You knew the answer, of course, with the many weapons adorning the room. You looked around, finding axes, swords, spears, and much more. “Too bad there’s no guitar… that’d really show my skills, right?” You looked up at that box, that same smile still on your face, never wavering. “Well… I guess that doesn't really matter, does it? Acapella would do nicely in such a big room like this one. This one’s been sung without any of those instruments before, too, so it’ll be no problem, really!”
“Ms. L/N I suggest you move along with whatever you’re planning. You are on a time constraint, after all,” commented Snow from above. While his voice largely held a tone of annoyance to it, there was also a hint of something else. A warning, maybe.
“Why of course, Mr. Snow! I’ll get a move on with it right away. Wouldn’t want to waste any more of your time.” You said, your smile slightly wavering before gaining its same previous shine. You gave yourself the briefest of moments before looking directly at Snow, starting to sing.
And I'll be along when I've finished my song
When I've shut down the band
When I've played out my hand
When I've paid all my debts
When I have no regrets
Right here, in the old there-before
When nothing is left anymore
This was your talent. Your skill. Back home, this is what kept your family alive. With this being brought up earlier, with Mags, it was the perfect song to sing. Perfect because it was your relatives. Perfect because it had been her song of rebellion. Perfect because Snow knew it by heart, and remembered, too, who it had been. It was showing, too. His face was redder than normal, and his face pulled into a deeper frown.
And I'll catch you up
When I've emptied my cup
When I've worn-out my friends
When I've burned out both ends
When I've cried all my tears
When I've conquered my fears
Right here, in the old there-before
When nothing is left anymore
You bowed, like you normally did when the song finished. “Thank you for your time.” You smiled up towards your small audience and left without another word. As you left on the opposite side you’d entered, you saw Peeta on the other side. He had a smile on his face. He nodded towards you before you exited through the door. Upon exiting, you noticed the multitude of faces looking up towards you. Many had smiles, for doing what you did. For standing up. It wasn’t much, but it meant something to the people who had little left to hope for. You found your way to Johanna, Finnick following behind you.
“Well, Covey girl. I’m not sure how much the singing will do for you in the area, but I know I liked it.” Finnick said with his usual smirk adorning his face.
“Honestly, Odair. Think about it. It’ll help more than you think.” She gave him a look that you didn’t quite understand. There seemed to be some sort of understanding between the two, despite their constant bickering.
Finnick crossed his arms around his chest, looking towards you. “Hm. I guess you have a point. Y/N, if you promised to sing me some lullabies in the arena every night, I’d promise to keep you safe. I mean, I’d do that for you anyway, but it’d be an added benefit for sure.” He laughed to himself, before walking away. “Think about it, Covey!” he yelled out.
“Really, Songbird, it does mean more. It was really powerful. Just look at everyone else in here. They needed something to break the routine like that.”
“Thank you Johanna. It meant more to me too…”
ahhh ok so I hope you liked it pookie!! it was mostly just me yapping on, but I hope you got the general idea of it!!
ps: I’m open to any requests (check my most loved post for ideas <33) so if anyone wants to send anything feel free to do so!! thanks ❤️❤️
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love ya!!
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Hey I was wondering what did Arlene Cogan say about the sleepovers with Elvis, that they were fairly innocent right?
I was actually gonna make a post about this but this is a perfect opportunity to talk about it so thank you so much for asking 💗!!
so I’m about 3/4s through her book (“Elvis: this one’s for you by Arlene Cogan”) and the only explicit thing that has happened so far was the panty check that I posted the excerpt of earlier this week
Absolutely nothing physical has been described besides a few kisses/general affection like hugging and cuddling (also the girls never actually slept over, they were always driven home)
I am really getting the vibe that their relationship with Elvis was more brotherly/sisterly, in fact Elvis even told them he always wished he had a little sister. He was extremely protective of them and didn’t want them paying any attention to other guys (he wanted them all to himself and basically kept them like nuns 🤧)
They even got into a few petty arguments like brothers and sisters do but I really think Elvis enjoyed having these girls around him because it gave him an opportunity to be completely unguarded and just have innocent/childish fun, like swimming, going to the roller rink, playing with firecrackers and other mischievous things
Anita Wood was dating him at this time and tbh I think whenever he needed a break from her, he would go hang out with these girls to get away and that’s why he wanted them around so often👀
here’s a little song that Frances, Heidi and Arlene sung/wrote for Elvis right before he left for army training💀:
“Oh, we’re the girls of Graceland, And we don’t give a damn, We’re out to have a helluva time, And get into a jam, The hell with Pat Boyd, Anita Wood, too, If you don’t like our little song, To hell, to hell with you”
“Elvis rolled over laughing and clapping his hands. He loved it. The laughing calmed down a little and I noticed there were tears in his eyes. “God knows how much I am going to miss y’all,” he said, “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I love you”
Though they were always with Elvis as a group I think they all had their own special relationship with him and it was all very sweet and innocent
also since this book is so hard to find and is so disgustingly expensive, I’m gonna be working on scanning the book and posting it as a pdf so everyone can read it !! (don’t worry it will be for free, I’m not charging people like that one girl did for the Kathy book smh👀)
sorry but I love these quotes 😩
“Honey, what you’ve got to realize is that I’m a human being just like everybody else. I want you to treat me like you would anyone else”
“Love me”, he said, “but don’t worship me. I’m not a God”
I think that is what Elvis wanted out of every woman he was with 😭 like how he told Larry Geller he could never know if a woman loved him for who he was or if they only loved Elvis, the performer/star
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