Aeliana Zynn Merula

[AELIANA ZYNN MERULA]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 400px; background-color: #ededed; padding:20px; border-top: 10px #000000 solid; border-bottom: 10px #000000 solid;] first last Name: Aeliana Zynn Merula Age: 18 Date of Birth: November 5 Sexuality: Hetero District: 1 Occupation: Student Family: Father-Carius Merula, Mother-Madierna Merula, No siblings, No pets Face Claim: Sarah Hyland I rolled the strand of diamonds over in my palm, watching the way the light caught and reflected back into my dark eyes. It was beautiful. Over the top and glittering with jewels just as i'd been raised to appreciate. I smiled a bit and held it delicately to my neck and attempted to clasp it underneath my long, dark waves. My father beamed and stood to help me, insisting he could close the clasp, "Here let me help you with that love. My goodness it looks just ravishing on you. Do you like it very much?" His face was full of pride, and even if i hadn't liked it, i wouldn't have been able to tell him right then. I smiled with genuine enthusiasm and nodded, saying in a reserved, quiet voice, "I love it father, it's absolutely stunning. Thank you so much." He bowed slightly and returned to my mother's side, placing one calculated hand on her frail shoulder. She smiled at me and then turned her beady, dark eyes towards the rest of the guests, her voice reedy with expectations, "Does anyone else have a gift to present to my beautiful daughter? How about you, Flynn?" She arched an eyebrow as she eyed my very best friend who had only been allowed to the party at my request against my parents' wishes. His green eyes got wider and he stepped forwards carefully, fumbling with a small box that was hand wrapped in brown butcher paper. He handed it to me and i smiled up at him from my large armchair, "Thank you Flynn." He smiled back and whispered, "Happy Birthday Aeliana." I opened the box slowly, sensing my mother's irritation that he'd even brought a gift, considering she didn't expect him to be so thoughtful. She was always trying to call him out and humiliate him in front of our frequent guests who i hardly knew by name but more by title and financial status. I'd never really enjoyed their company, but obliged to being as polite as anything because how else was one to make it in the world these days? Who was a person without wealth and a title to their name? I'd never know. I'd been raised in the absolute highest of classes, raised to appreciate and expect the finest life had to offer, and in return sacrifice my temporary fleeting desires for the greater good of my reputation. I tore off the paper. At least that was what mother had told me. The tiny box was easy to open, and i gasped in astonishment. Everyone in the room leaned forwards, wanting to see what had been enough to surprise me, daughter of one of the wealthiest jewelers in the district. I held my delicate hands to my lips and looked up at Flynn, he grinned back. Inside the box was a beautiful strand of light yellow pearls. The ones i'd seen countless times in advertisements from District 4. The one place i wanted to visit more than anything, the ocean. I bit my lip to keep from tearing up and said sweetly, "Thank you so much Flynn." I could see my mother lift her chin from the corner of my eye, her irritation more noticeable now. She didn't expect him to be able to afford anything so fine, let alone something so personal and dear to me. The rest of the party continued as always, complete with a catered meal, dancing, cards, and a round of toasts for my 18th birthday. I smiled a lot as expected, enjoyed the dancing thoroughly although i was only allowed two dances with Flynn, laughed with my few friends, and finally gazed at the stars from our palatial balcony. But by the end of the night, i was mentally exhausted. Flynn came up beside me, looking more handsome than usual in his tuxedo i knew he must've borrowed. He gave a low whistle, "Ya look swell Aeliana, you really do." He grinned and i nudged him teasingly, "Hey, you aren't looking too shabby yourself." We stood there for a moment, watching the stars and the city lights twinkle below us. He finally said something, "Hey A," which he so often called me when my mother wasn't around, "I was thinking..." But he never got a chance to finish. From inside i heard a great roar of chanting and clapping and knew it was being aired. The program that always aired on my birthday, the program i still felt uneasy about cheering for, the program that seemed too distant from my safe world where volunteers almost always secured my fate. The Hunger Games Reapings were being aired tonight. See Link Stef. 19. n/a.

table by CALIFORNIA DREAMING of CAUTION 2.0.

[JESS]