Summary: Four Times Nero Hugs To Adessa, And One Time She Does For Him.

bb!Calli for @lorata

Decided to rise back from dead and deliver few thousands of words regarding Callista because I can.

Also, Merry Christmas to people who celebrate!

Without further rambling, I present you what happens when you procrastinate so hard

She was born as the clock hit midnight, when October 30th bled into 31st; a sign of power, her parents said and as if to prove that theory, the rosy-cheeked baby hadn’t screamed or shed a tear when she finally took her first breath and nor will she when she rises into the greatness that was ahead of her.

A greatness even this little soul knew already.

—

Callista likes to get what she wants, is the only thing her teachers agree upon describing her ın the parent-teacher meeting conferences. Because even though she is still  a rosy-cheeked five year old, she has a great way to people and the way she acted around them, controlling the very air around her:

Callista is very demure when she says her classmates are good but not good enough and maybe she can help them because they have so much to improve on. (and then she sneakily hides their projects, making them seem irresponsible; always ending up as the one who gets the praise)

Callista is very passionate when she says she can skillfully use her scissors and unlike other kids, she would not try to hurt them with her tools because she is so well-behaved, a favourite and has manners. (if she wanted to hurt them, she definitely would try to find a way without staining her pretty scissors)

Callista is very polite about the way she informs her teachers during recess, she discusses the things her peers say to one another that might be harmful or could possibly paint them in a bad light. (well, she could paint them in a bad light as she is perfect in painting, she just threatens her peers a bit for them to do it for her because she does not want to paint)

Callista is, they say–Callista just is.

—

When she watches her first Games, Callista is six years old and it also happens to be her first Victor, a fact which she cried along with her parents as they wept because Two finished their second decade with success, power and most of all, they had done their duty and are ready to provide for more.

And although they had let their little daughter watch death happen in more ways than she can count at that age, they do turn off the voice of television and bid her goodnight when their latest Victor decides to dissect however the amount of dead tributes left.  

Callista obeys even though she cannot comprehend why the Victor-Adessa, she can say her name now because she is Two’s forever and ever and not buried underground like other twenty three- should not be allowed to murder just a tad more when she can for the last time.

And it’s not like the tributes would feel anything now, she reckons.

—

After less than a year her parents tell her she will -not can, nor chance-- actually be one of them; one of the Victors. And Callista thinks obviously because she knows she is meant for more; not just good or good enough but only the best.

So they take her to Centre to take a test which makes her want to scoff but that would be rude in the public eye, not very demure so she just asks why she should take a test if her capacity is already a fact and proven through the school tests she already started to take.

Her parents smile and say it is for reassurance which makes Callista want to frown but she cannot do that either, no wrinkles are allowed when we aren’t at home, afterall.

When she is a Victor she will make sure people give answers she likes because she deserves to know why, not just reassurances.

When they enter the building she stands up tall among her parents as a lady makes her way towards them. “Ah, I see the last link of the Beauforts ready to shine as well. Calliope, was it?”

“Callista.” she says, pulling her ‘serious’ voice which she uses with adults. She doesn’t know what she is more annoyed at; the way this stranger thinks she isn’t shining already or getting her name wrong or the talk she sure will receive this evening when they get back home about not interrupting the adults.

The lady, however, chuckles. “Well, Callista, nice to meet you. You may go to room six as your parents and I talk.”

Callista opens her mouth again but she can feel the three pairs of eyes burning on her and even though she likes attention, she has a feeling that this is her cue to pretend to listen so she nods and takes a turn to make her way as she hears about the recent changes in the Offering System.

When she reaches room six she stops in front of it and knocks and doesn’t enter until she hears a soft ‘come in’. She smiles just as she had been taught and introduces herself which the woman in front of her takes in with delight. She offers Callista a seat and asks her about her which is Callista’s favourite topic to talk about. 

Then she shows up a few pictures and that’s when she struggle a bit because she doesn’t know what to say to Ms. Ambers in order to make her family look good. It’s not like her eyes are bad or she lacks creativity but she still answers confidently even though it definitely isn’t her best few minutes and she notes to herself to analyse people better.

But apparently Ms. Ambers has a few things to do -which Callista considers unprofessional because who would sign up for things when they have other more important things to do?- and she pardons herself for a few minutes meanwhile Callista can or cannot enjoy the marshmallows that are in front of her- which is another unprofessional thing because aren’t guests supposed to relish in catering?

However she isn’t a guest, she is in a test and things like these might not be applicable here so she waits because she might make up for the picture guessing things by offering the older woman a few of her marshmallows because she is polite and sharing is caring.

When Ms. Ambers turns back she eyes the treats with a glint in her eyes and Callista feels grateful that she doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth even though she smiles all cute and sure and makes her offer but doesn’t wave her hand up in air because then it would be obvious that she is mimicking her parents’ attitude in these situations.

And for being such a good girl, Callista gets to prove her physical strength when Ms. Ambers take her to the playground. She eyes the other kids as she makes her way through them, honestly, they stood no chance to her, they should be aware of that when the trumpets boom. So she mainly shows things she is already excellent at such as flexibility as she climbs up the ropes, the way she pushes kids down but doesn’t let herself lose any progress she made while climbing up.

Callista smiles and it’s not the ‘sweet’ coded one for once but she cannot bring herself to care.

—

And as she always does, Callista dominates; she is the best in her cohort and best overall so far; she is calculating,vicious and powerful and she drinks it up like a cocktail while she breaks other people’s bones. She doesn’t smile much but when she does it smells blood and there is nothing anyone can do; she is perfect because she is and well guess who has to deal with that? Not her.

It is a problem, apparently as she grows older because everyone grows older and it turns from games to Games and the clock ticking like the ones in the Arenas do. There are kids who already are quitting or painfully obvious that they won’t make it until fifteen but also the ones that are becoming more and more insistent and nastier and Callista can’t ignore that. This–everything around here is what she is passionate about and she will not let them take it away so she trains herself even more, pushing her limits until nothing is left to be pushed and it works until it doesn’t.

Arrogance is one of the things what Two looks for in tributes but they prefer not overdosing it and well Callista apparently did because there was no other reason they brought a Victor–her first, Adessa, at that– to show her place which she already knows, obviously, she just wanted to enlarge the narrative but it’s still a good wake up call nonetheless about how extreme confidence may cause great tragedies.

Odin in 32nd proved it to the other children that sometimes too much believing in the death-condition of the last tribute as you turn around for the trumpets might cost you an eye even if you kill them afterwards. And that is one of the lessons Callista listened to in her heart.

And she grows and kills and plays the cameras and when they announce the chosen female tribute she cackles and it’s raw and dangerous and her.

When the trumpets play, Callista grins as she holds herself up from the One tribute who is as naked and as flushed as her but not as alive. This is what she was made for, what her parents told her for and what she made herself as and she is proud of herself and the whole country is and everything is perfect.

—

Hera is waiting for her in the hovercraft and she is still there when Callista takes her well deserved nap and she will be with her as long as Callista requires because she is a mentor with an alive kid for once and her eyes are proud.

She has a house in the village now but it seems to be not ready for her yet which Callista doesn’t really think is justifiable; who else was there but her to win 41st? But she won’t throw a tantrum because she has all the time for eternity and is not a rose-cheeked toddler anymore.

In the months between her win and Tour, she finds the lack of blood too boring. Everything around her is soft and safe and in order which is such a difference from the Arena and from the last eleven years. And when Hera is gone for a bit Callista sneaks a blade –which were hidden away from her except her mentor doesn't know all her skills–and slides it across her skin and inhales the coppery smell of blood; bright and dark and beautiful like her. She patches it up afterwards because she didn’t die from infection then and won’t die now.

Apparently being alive and perfect is not enough to be loved by everyone which confuses her at first. It’s not like she expected outliers to adore her but she didn't anticipate this much hate either and it’s way too obvious, no doubt they don’t have the privileges Two has; one needs to know how to play the game and Callista and the entire district does.

The village feels even more like home after the Tour, however all she can feel now is rage. How dare people not see the greatness behind her? Or was it her price to pay for being herself? 

And that is when the thirst for blood paints her sight red and some lowlife ends up dead by her hands and it should be glorious but it’s not and she’s boiling and she is ready to hunt again but–

Mentors apparently can appear out of thin air and Callista hisses out as she stands up on her feet and braces herself for impact because while Hera is not particularly vicious she definitely won’t let a corpse slide underneath her feet especially if it’s from her Victor’s knives. Hera grabs her by the collar of her jacket and smashes her to a tree. 

“You are out.” Hera says, tone distanced but furious. “You are someone with enough blood on her hands which was allowed then because that is what everyone needs to do there in order to seem worthy of freedom. You have it now and you are not a fool to even think I will tell you throw all that. This is not Games anymore, being alive is not the only rule around here, and you might act like you do not care but we both know if that was the case you wouldn't be covered in blood now.”

Callista doesn’t meets her eyes, for once in her life she feels something similar to shame. Not shame for herself but for her actions which will have consequences she’s sure she could live without. “What else am I supposed to be covered with?” There are a few things in her mind but she definitely cannot say them now.

“Only your flesh. We can’t redo what we had done nor should we, but we can stay true to ourselves and achieve things from there.”

“...so I should kill some more then.” Callista smirks a little, not mean nor innocent, just her. “That’s who I am.”

Hera, points for her, doesn’t take her bullshit. “You know exactly what I mean–”

Footsteps. 

Except they don’t sound massive, and since the guy has been dead for at least half an hour, it is definitely not him.

Hera and Callista share glances and she gives her mentor a knife, just in case. 

“Mrw,” a one-eyed cat is staring at them, defensive with at least half a dozen kittens underneath her and she tries to keep them all in one place as they try to walk away from their mother.

Callista looks at them, strangely marveled as she watches the scene in front of her and Hera probably looks at her Victor the same way as she takes off her jacket and swaddles them in her arms despite the protests. “Hey now–”

Callista still doesn’t look at Hera, this night feels like a fever dream already so why not take full advantage? “Can you help me? They are heavy and I think they find my arms quite tasteful.”

Hera purses her lips as if she’s reconsidering her life choices. “Fine,” she decides and walks towards her Victor who is being playfully strangled by a bunch of mammals. She picks up a few of them carefully. “But–if this happens again, you will not see them ever again. Understood?”

“What if my hand slips or–” Callista starts but quotes down when her mentor gives her a look. “Okay. That is—okay.”

“Good. Let’s take all of you back home.” Hera says and gives Callista a once-over. “And you should take a shower. And probably them too.”

Luther: What is your biggest weakness?

Five: I can be uncooperative.

Luther: Okay, can you give me an example?

Five: No.

Here is Brutus and his branch -minus Petra as Randomfacter made her already- they didn't turn out as I imagined but they are close enough. Sorta.

Brutus

Emory

Devon

Honestly, same.

Marlene: You know, I'm starting to regret showing you how that blender works.

Lynn, drinking toast: Why do you say that?

Random mentor-victor moments because I am ridiculously attached to them. Also this is extremely self-indulgent, just to warn you.

The victory trumpets were loud and sharp. Cutting through the air just like how she cut through tributes 9 years ago.

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵, Iris thought. Not that she ever doubt about Adessa. However, years and years of loss tends to make you pessimistic.

After the Victory Announcement, Iris went to the aircraft to welcome their-her- newest Victor.

"She is still working on her last tribute ma'am" says the security guard, looking a bit uneasy. This does not make sense. Adessa won, she saw it, everyone saw how the last tribute got stabbed over and over, as if going through a surgery. Kind of.

"And you didn't done anything about it?"

"She refused, said she would call us back for clean towels."

So they waited.

When they got face to face for the first time after weeks, they are in a hospital.

"Well," Adessa starts as she sits up on the patient bed. "This was not how I expected things would turn out."

"What did you expect, then?" Iris asks, curious but not too curious, in a tone does not spread warmth nor coldness. The whole point of mentorship is making sure your victor is safe and sane, no attachment towards them.

𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯.

"I have always wondered how our bodies looked like under our skin. This was my only chance, but I could not see properly. There was too much blood, pretty but unnecessary. It was barely possible to see the innards in detail."

"But you have an idea about what does it look like, right?"

"Yes, I do. And it is not a problem to not see the details, I know the digestive system so I already had some guesses. It is just fascinating to see them in person and not in a textbook."

"I am sure it is." Iris said, she was unsure about how this conversation will end and it's impacts in future. She knew Adessa was smart and afraid that she would not respect her. So far Iris did well. "If you want we have a library and few places where you can explore and learn everything without making people with weak stomach upset."

Adessa grins, and it is bright as well as absolutely terrifying.

Maybe it won't be so bad after all.

___________________________________________

When she imagined her victory, she did not imagine it like this. Her victory was supposed to bring glory to her district. Make Two happy.

However, fate had different intentions for her.

All the things she did, going through Residental and volunteering for a 14-year-old girl, got ripped off from her as she decleared as a Victor.

One who won with default.

She failed.

Except she did not, that's what Brutus says. She is strong, kind and a winner like all of them are.

Emory finds it too hard to believe.

She wanted to watch the next games but her mentor would not let her. Saying that they have different plans.

Brutus packs nothing but knives and camp related things. He broughts them to a wooden house with a lake in front of it.

She turns her head to him and gives him a smile. Because he deserves it, he is a good mentor and deserved a better Victor than her-

No. These bad thoughts are a waste of time and brings nothing but misery.

"We will spend our summer here." says Brutus taking her attention back to him. "You know fresh air, swimmimg and stuff."

"Can you swim?" Emory asks and it's hilarious to imagine Brutus try to swim with all his bulk.

"No. Never tried to. But I remember you saying that you can."

She nods and recalls the days she went to lake near to her parents' house. How water every time managed to make her feel like flying.

She puts her foot in water, testing it's temperature. It's fresh and welcoming. Offering her to dive in and feel free.

First time in months, Emory feels alive.

___________________________________________

𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭.

As the blood trickled down from the cut she made, Callista admired it once more.

If her mentor was here, she would scowl at her and take the knife from her hands. Hera cares about her, how cute. She did not missed her Arena, hers was boring. No one was a real challenge. Not even the Pack. Everyone fell apart in Callista's hands, no scream, no movement and not even a spit.

But their bloods painted the floor. From bright red to maroon, dripping down from her machets. And she missed that. Oh, she missed it so much.

She puts the knife back into her sleeve to hide it. Very satisfied with herself.

"So, should I ask or will you answer me, Calli." And oh. Hera stands there tall and with a neutral face.

𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨?

"Not important." she shruggs, in a manner which people becomes impatient and explodes. She loves that.

"Really?" Hera's voice is measured and she looked intimidating for an outsider. Not to Callista. Never for Callista. " The scars on your wrists makes me thing otherwise."

"Your mind plays with you then, I did not expect you to be delusional."

"I think you are the one being delusional now. Calli," she says softly and well, she does not like that. Visible affection is disgusting. Hera walks towards her and sits down next to her, on the bathroom floor. Hera pulls Callista over her and runs her fingers through her hair, tilting her chin so that they can stare each other's eyes.

Something warm spreads in her body. "If something happens you don't need to hide from me. You're my Victor, and I don't care what everyone else thinks about you, you're precious to me."

"I know that." Callista snorts but still leans on her mentor. "You are precious to me too." When Hera smiles, she realizes something. "Don't tell this to anyone, I don't want anyone to think I'm a puppy."

"You are not. You are more like a cat." she tooks her hand and make her stand up.

"Shut up." Callista says, half-joking. Even though she does not understand Hera, she is one of the few people who can control her.

Make her feel more special than she already is.

So I found these gems in the depths of my tumblr:

-headcanons about two victors in general

-birthday headcanons

-headcanons on the arenas

-Adessa headcanons

-Nero & Callista headcanons

-Iris headcanons

-Enobaria headcanons

Will we ever hear more about Caius and Luna? I imagine Ronan's first Victors have got a lot to go along with them, being led by the first Career. I know there's a couple others we know very little about such as Callista's mentor Hera as well as Adessa's mentor Iris

Yeah I'm sure I will at some point! It's all about when I'll get an idea, really? It's like, I wrote Claudius' story when I got a lightning-bolt of "Arena full of 12-year-olds" and everything flowed from there, so at some point I'll get some bit of key info about one of them that I'll write the rest of their story around. For now they just hang out

Summary: A look towards the most powerful family in Two.

Bunch of Beetee/Adessa memes

Callista: You kill people for money!?

Assassin!Adessa: I can explain!

Callista: And all this time I have been doing it for free like a chump!