County Fair: Opening Night Bonfire

[✨ zozo.]

 

So many people had asked Wren Horowitz if she was a lonely woman, living all by herself in her house on the hill. And the honest answer was no, not at all. She had a solid foundation of hard-working faces that had surrounded her her entire life, no children to fret over the same time each year, and a position in Ten's community that took her all around the District - not to mention her sheepdog Barley. New faces were nothing to be afraid of, and despite her living situation Wren was quite the extrovert. Hosting festivals, fairs and events was like riding a horse bareback, it came as naturally as walking on her own two feet.

But hosting for people who had never visited Ten before? That was nerve-wracking. Wren busied herself with last-minute preparations, setting up stalls and making conversation with Ten's victors and important figureheads, but there was a gnawing feeling in her heart that bloomed from her love of her home. Would those from Nine and Eleven take kindly to District Ten and its people? Would they find their humble haybale seats and words dripping in local dialect quaint, or laughable? Her heart bled for her home, the people, their excitement to blend the best of three districts together and their unshakable hospitality. It wasn't her reputation on the line, it was all of District Ten's combined.

But there wasn't any more time to dwell on the concerns of the past few weeks. When the first train arrived carrying their guests the crowds cheered and hollered, welcome signs painted by the local schools hovering over cowboy hats and Keeper helmets. The atmosphere was so far so good, a warmth heavy like the summer air carrying into the evening as folks from Nine and Eleven set up in their cabins and sleepouts.

As the sun dipped behind the horizon and the fireflies lit up the fields, everyone gathered around the bonfire constructed in the center of the fairgrounds. Meat sizzled on grills and Ten's delicacies bubbled away in large pots, hungry stomachs grumbling at the smell of dinner.

"Howdy y'all," Wren grinned into the mic to gather the crowd's attention, hoping her nerves weren't showing. "I'm Wren Horowitz and I... guess I'm the organiser of this here County Fair. Thank you for attending tonight's bonfire night - glad the maps seem to be working! On behalf of all of Ten we'd like to welcome y'all to our District - what's ours is yours so please help y'allselves to the food and if y'need anything, don't be afraid to shout out!"

She took a moment to smile and nodded toward the giant pile of wood, manned by a tiny ginger teenager who had insisted she be the one to light the pyre in celebration. Wren wasn't one to argue with teenagers, less the daughter of two Victors, so she'd obliged.

"Before we eat, I'd like to invite Quinn Emberstatt from the 8th Grade class of our local school to light our celebratory bonfire and officially begin the County Fair!"

Quinn took no hesitations, grabbing the lit piece of kindling held by a cook with glee and marching toward the pyre. With a thrust of her arm the bonfire lit up like wildfire, crackling into the night sky, and light applause broke out as she waved her still-alight stick around in the air. Thankfully someone had the sense to grab the light and dunk it into a trough filled with water before she could do any damage to Wren's months of hard work.

"Thank you Miss Emberstatt! We'd now like to invite y'all to grab some food, get to know each other, and enjoy the entertainment by some local musicians. Good luck for y'alls events and hope you're charmed by our southern hospitality! Enjoy y'allselves alright?"

---

Hi everyone, welcome to the opening night of the Panem County Fair! This is a group thread for posts as little or as long as you'd like. Get yourselves comfy and meet some folk. Remember each post = 1 point towards a CB!

Some notes around the layout of this area for writing prompts:

- Locals of Ten can turn up and vibe, even if they're not in the events
- It's evening time, just gone dusk! Probably some mosquitoes about so they're passing around spray-on repellent
- Bonfire, sits smack-bang in the middle of the Fairgrounds
- Haybales and logs for sitting
- There's a stage for entertainment, and where winners will stand at the closing bonfire night
- Probably some prizes such as trophies, ribbons and food hampers on display
- Everyone's been given a welcome pamphlet with a map on it in case you get lost
- Country music and acoustic artists are playing songs to sing, dance or just enjoy!
- Food served up by locals, you can be creative with what you reckon some local delicacies of Ten are!
- Peacekeepers are on-duty and scattered about, but not too daunting. Just be on your best behaviour!

Have fun! <3

[kap]

Shay Min

Before leaving District Nine, I was excited for the county fair that they'd announced. Now, as I was actually sitting here in District Ten, I was beyond excited. This was what I'd always dreamed of! I'd always wanted to visit Ten or Eleven. I'd always wanted to see the fields, the animals, the nature, and everything else about it that wasn't the damn crowded city life of Nine. I've always felt like a caged animal back in Nine. As a nature-lover who only seems to thrive when I'm in the great outdoors, it's impossible to really, truly enjoy myself back home.

As the opening ceremony started, a huge bonfire was lit by a girl with a famous name. Cheerful chatter commenced, and citizens from Nine, Ten and Eleven began to mingle. I decided to sit in front of the bonfire on one of the hay bales, which to me, seemed like a bit of a fire hazard, but I went with it anyway.

I had a small smile on my face as I looked at the fire roaring in front of me, and ended up speaking aloud when I felt that someone was nearby me, even if I didn't look at them quite yet.

"Ten is just completely beautiful, isn't it?" I questioned whomever was nearby, although I suppose it was more of me stating my opinion than actually asking for an answer.

I turned my head to look at the person lurking near me and gave them a smile.

I was truly content. It was the most blissful feeling, sitting in the great outdoors, surrounding by cheerful people and looking at a blazing fire in front of me. I wish I could experience things like this back home. I liked home, sure, but I loved where I was right now. This was just the ultimate experience, and it made me feel so happy.

[gamemaker tallis 🧚🏽‍♂️kaitlin.]

Shiv is tried, if she's being honest.

She doesn't know how her sister has done it for all of these years, balanced the people with Panem, balanced herself with her job. This crowd—this is the kind of politics that Shiv has never been the best at, the kind of thing that doesn't come naturally for her. She walks through the crowd with a smile on her face, watches as Saffron's daughter walks up to the pyre and lights a thing so much bigger than her. An honor Shiv is fairly certain is lost on the tiny redheaded thing, if the poor soul who ripped the thing out her hands and shoved it into a pail of water's panic and haste was anything to go off of.

But it's exhausting.

It is a constant state of not existing for herself, somehow. It's been years, and she feels like she hasn't sat down once. On some days, it's a good thing. It helps her not think so much about Elijah, helps her think less about the family that she never got to have and wanted so desperately. Walking through the crowd, she carries a little basket filled with small loaves of bread from home, intricately decorated with little woven patterns of vines and leaves. She smiles at strangers and offers them the loaves as little token of kindness and welcome, peers down at the toddlers and chuckles when one of them asks her if they can touch the tiny silver owl hanging from the thin chain around her neck. Sweetheart, the mother had scolded, tongue sharp, but Shiv has crouched right down and let the small girl fiddle with it for a moment before tapping the tip of her nose and telling her not to forget her bug spray.

And it's this. Over and over, it's this.

Kindness and care, and almost none of it for her.

She keeps going anyway. Makes her way closer to the center of the camp towards the fire and holds the basket out. "It is," she replies cordially, eyes warm. "Not from here then?"

[kap]

Shay Min

Ten truly was a stunning District, and I didn't try to deny it. I'd imagined its beauty my whole life, always having wanted to come here. I'd seen photographs throughout the years, but had never been able to experience the real thing. Oh how I had longed for it, and now, my long-time dream had come through. I was actually here.

The smile I had gained more than a few moments before was still showing upon my face. I was still full of that pure joy, and the woman who'd approached me spoke to me kindly as I turned to look at her and she held out a basket full of many loaves of bread that looked as if they were freshly baked, and likely homemade.

I gently took one and nodded my head in thanks. She agreed with my comment about Ten's beauty, and said that I must not be from here. Oh how right she was. My home was such a stark contrast to District Ten's farms and fields. I was from the innermost city part of District Nine. Tall, concrete walls of towering buildings- mostly factories- lined the streets. I walked past them on my way to work every day to a job I didn't really like all too much.

If I lived here, I was certain I'd love almost any job I could have. I'd almost definitely be outside in nature, from what I could tell, and that's what I'd always wanted. I can't get that type of work back in Nine. It just doesn't really seem to exist. Trust me, I've looked pretty thoroughly, and the closest thing I've really found would to become a florist.

On second thought, maybe that's a good idea: I should quit my factory job and start a job as a florist. I'd have to look into that when I got home.

I responded to the woman's words.

"Right," I said. "I'm from District Nine. There it's all just... bricks and concrete and factories. Musty smells all day start to get to you. Here it's fresh air and open fields. Campfires and places to actually gather and have fun and do things! I wish I could move here."

It was true, I really did wish I could move here. Unfortunately, with Panem's laws? I'd have my tongue cut out for even trying.

[Deleted]

---

"Ahh," the peacekeeper can't help but grin after some district ten sweet tea. He's had it by the jug back in Two before, but it just ain't the same as the real thing. McCree don't even know if he can go back after, it's half the reason he agreed to work the County Fair rather than just relaxing. 

But, well, it just ain't hard work! 

McCree takes his lazy days just as nicely as his busy ones, ain't nothing bad about a little paid vacation. He ain't even in his peacekeeper get up, dressed like the desert kids do in District Two. In some ways, this place ain't too different from home, the only difference is he's without the rest of his unit. Milie's been out in Nine since the riots, they need all the nurses they can get. Last thing he heard, Alejandra & Genji are out in Three, not too sure what they could be up to. 

Whatever it is, can't be better than this. 

And that's for damn sure. He grabs a plate of crawfish and potato's back near the bonfire, with a damn good glass of tea. There's only two things that could disturb his peace, and that's Mayor Emberstatt himself and, well, a disturbance. Otherwise, it's a might-ey fine day. 

---

ooc: a peacekeeper, mccree, enjoys some tea

[brad bradford ★ d5b [arx]]

crispin wedgwood.

"Oh, shiii-oot," I half curse under my breath, excitement making it difficult to focus on the crown of daisies I'm meant to be stringing together.

It's been a busy day at Dio's flower stand, but a very exciting one.  The most people I've seen gathered in one place has only ever been during Reapings, a rather somber event compared to the delights of today—ten-gallon hats tipped too far forward on giggling toddlers' heads, cotton candy that looked as if it were plucked from the clouds and drizzled in sunset pastels, newly unveiled dance moves causing an uproar of laughter a few tents down.

Really it's just too bad Ceres hid my harmonica from me a month ago because I taught myself a couple of pretty nifty tunes I totally could've played today. Oh well.

The loudspeakers crackle, but I hear the mention of the bonfire and- "It's starting- CERES! Oh," I call over my shoulder, only for her to appear in my vision that same instant. "My god, I just fucking died there for second," I say, clutching at my chest as I shove past her a little rougher than usual on my way to weave a few final touches into my creation.

She's been glued to my side since I yanked her out of bed this morning—which is actually a good thing if you know anything about Ceres. Sometimes I worry that if I blink or glance away for just a moment she'll forget to stand still for the picture.

"Okay, come on, let's go!" I rush her as if she hadn't been the one standing around all day because I asked her to. I still try to trip her on the out way out though. Tradition, really.

And as I'm doing that, I make sure to bash my head against the top of the doorframe.

Again.

"Please don't tell anyone I did that," I beg, palm pressed to my forehead just hoping that the longer I hold my hand there the less likely it will come away bloody. I force my hat lower, press my sweatband into the future bruise, storing the flower crown for Estella atop my hat.

"Just- come on, I don't want to miss anything."

Thankfully I'm too excited to let the embarrassed flush creep up my neck and into my cheeks.

"life's a losing game when you don't play."

♪