Daffodil Park

Xavier Byrne (Former Fiancé/Deceased)

It was a brisk autumn evening when Daffodil made her way into the world, her mother’s screams echoing through the small cottage that had passed through generations of her family. Her mother, Rose, looked upon her with a love that could never be put into words, her heart growing at the sight of her healthy baby girl. Rose thought on what to name her daughter for many months, counting on her survival, yet feeling cynical at her chances due to the poorly nature of their family. But Daffodil was stronger than her mother could ever have dreamed, and near her first birthday, her mother had decided upon a name.

Rose named her daughter after her favorite flowers which bloomed on the hill just beyond their cottage from spring to fall, now having a single Daffodil through winter as well, she felt the name was suited. Daffodil was bright, sweet, and filled with a joy not usually seen within their small town - her eyes constantly sparkling with something deeper than most people had.

School was simple for Daffodil, her grades reflecting her deep intelligence amongst her peers, her future looking as bright as her. She had few friends, however, as she found that shyness often overtook her attempts at developing friends. But there was one person who she felt truly understood her, one whom she spent almost all of her free time with, Xavier Byrne.

Xavier was a large boy, always heads above the others in their classes, which made most people avoid him for fear of getting on his bad side. Daffodil found his presence calming, though, and they struck up a friendship early on - staying by each other's sides no matter what occurred. As they grew, Daffodil was on track to become a teacher in District 6, as she had done so well in her studies, and Xavier had heard that his work was so satisfactory in the transportation warehouse that they were considering him for the head position if he worked hard after his schooling days. The two grew closer as time passed, spending their evenings below the honeysuckle tree that rested upon the hill covered in daffodils beyond her childhood home. They would laugh, cry, and hold each other through everything that happened in their lives.

When she was twenty and him twenty-one, he proposed to her beneath the honeysuckle tree, and she agreed immediately. They planned to be wed three years later so that they could save funds for their wedding to include the entire village. However, their plans fell through when they were both reaped the following year, sending them into the arena.

Daffodil and Xavier trained as hard as they could for their games in the areas they felt they might exceed in. Daffodil chose to learn botany, while Xavier trained in combat and weights to prepare himself to fight off anyone who might attempt to kill them. The night before their games, the two agreed that they would die together in the arena so that they might never be apart, but while Xavier promised this, he made a mental apology to Daffodil, for it was a promise he could not keep.

The Capitol whimsically dubbed the arena a Winter Wonderland, but skeptics argued it was simply an arctic forest. Resources were scarce—only a handful of animals for hunting and even less food for foraging. Tributes found themselves dependent on the limited supply packs strategically placed at the arena's center, compelling them to brave the open each day for a chance at survival. As the days unfolded, the biting cold intensified, claiming the lives of some tributes due to the unforgiving grip of hypothermia.

Xavier stood as one of the more imposing tributes in the arena, effortlessly claiming resources from most others. Those he couldn't easily pilfer from met a darker fate—he didn't hesitate to eliminate them and seize their supplies by force. Throughout their time in the arena, Xavier concealed this brutal reality from Daffodil, maintaining the façade that his superior speed and resourcefulness were responsible for outlasting the competition. Although Daffodil did witness Xavier taking the life of another male tribute, the traumatic experience plunged her into a state of deep shock, leaving her with fragmented memories of the haunting moment.

Xavier was brutal in his protection of his fiancé, fighting off anyone they encountered, whether they seemed a threat or not - his method being so efficient that in the end, there were only the two of them left. They decided the night the last tribute beside them died that the next day they would take their lives. But as Daffodil slept soundly for the first time in many days, Xavier snuck off into the forest and ended his own life. Daffodil awoke in a panic at the sound of the blast, watching as her lover’s face was projected above her, being crowned victor shortly after.

Following the games, Daffodil was devastated at the loss of her lover and for her first few mentor cycles, did little to assist her tributes in their fight for their lives. As time passed, she grew frustrated with herself for not properly assisting her tributes and began pouring herself into her work to distract from the emptiness she felt inside. She quickly became known as one of the most charming and kindest mentors amongst the sponsors, and generally did well for her tributes.

## Hunger Games

### 116th Games

The Capitol whimsically dubbed the arena a Winter Wonderland, but skeptics argued it was simply an arctic forest. Resources were scarce—only a handful of animals for hunting and even less food for foraging. Tributes found themselves dependent on the limited supply packs strategically placed at the arena's center, compelling them to brave the open each day for a chance at survival. As the days unfolded, the biting cold intensified, claiming the lives of some tributes due to the unforgiving grip of hypothermia.

In the icy grip of the arena, the gamemakers were deliberate in sparing the remaining tributes from succumbing to the cold. They provided just enough supplies to stave off the bitter chill, a strategic move to avoid a repeat of the disastrous outcome from their previous winter-themed games. This calculated decision ensured that over half of the tributes clung to life, engaging in daily fights over the supplies delivered each noon.

Among the fierce competitors, Xavier Byrne stood as a formidable force, towering over his rivals both in stature and strength. With a ruthless efficiency, he seized supplies from the vulnerable and resorted to lethal force when faced with resistance. Yet, amidst the brutality, Xavier shielded Daffodil, his fiancée and district partner, from the harsh realities, enveloping her in a cocoon of care and love. The Capitol citizens, enamored by their bond, affectionately dubbed them "The Lovers," reveling in the spectacle of their shared journey.

As the final tributes standing, Xavier and Daffodil confronted the daunting decision to end their lives together, an emotional pact forged through countless conversations. Opting for one last night of reprieve, they sought solace before embarking on their shared fate. In a tragic twist, Xavier ventured alone into the Arctic forest while Daffodil slept, extinguishing his own life. Daffodil awoke to the haunting echo of a cannon, greeted by the spectral visage of her lover in the sky. His ring, a poignant reminder, lay delicately on his pillow, becoming a keepsake she guarded as she ventured into the woods, desperate to find his lifeless form. Yet, her search proved futile, as Xavier's limp frame was taken away by Capitol planes.

Crowned victor, Daffodil's radiance had dimmed, her once vibrant spirit overshadowed by the weight of loss. The Capitol hastily released her poster with the accompanying caption:

   "One Daffodil is worth a thousand pleasures..."

*-William Wordsworth*

"Citizens of the glorious districts, rejoice in the triumph of our newest victor, a shining beacon of excellence who emerged victorious in the arena! The celebration of her triumphant victory shall commence as she embarks on a grand journey, traveling to each district by the impeccable Capitol train. Prepare yourselves for a rare and splendid opportunity to engage with this remarkable victor. Take advantage of the moment and pose your inquiries, satisfying your insatiable curiosity about the Games and the illustrious champion who emerged from the crucible of competition. Join us in embracing the glory of the Capitol and reveling in the splendor of our victorious tribute!"

*-- Pulled from the Capitol archives of the 116th games --*

"For the first few stops of the victory tour, she found herself consumed by discontent, her thoughts lingering on her departed lover. Yet, her mentor impressed upon her the importance of projecting a façade for the Capitol citizens. Thus, she donned a mask, assuming the role of the Capitol's darling, expressing profound gratitude for the sacrifice her lover had made.