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[center][color=green][h2]Meredith Mackenzie[/h2][/color][/center]

The day of the choosing started out like any other for Meredith but she knew in her heart and in her bones that it would not be like any other day, today was THE day that her entire life could come crashing down or the day when she once again escaped that fate and life would continue as normal. On this important day Meredith was reluctant to get out of bed and wished she could simply stay there and sleep through until tomorrow, but the farm would not run itself and she couldn't leave it all to Roy their one and only farmhand. With a sigh she finally rose and the day then began in earnest. After dressing in faded jeans, t-shirt and open checked shirt she began performing the routines that she had been doing for the last few years, now down to a fine art, and gradually the familiar work helped distract her thoughts for a while. But all too soon she had finished her last task and that it was time to leave for the choosing. 

Her father had insisted on being there when they announced the names, as he had been every year after Meredith came of age, even though Meredith assured him it wasn't necessary. His arthritis had gotten worse this last year and she knew the trip to the ceremony would tire him out and she didn't want that. But there was another reason she wanted him to stay, she couldn't explain it if asked but she had a bad feeling about this choosing ceremony. There was no way she could predict the future but her gut was telling her that today was the day and she didn't want her father to be there if it happened. But he was stubborn and would not be swayed and in the end all of them would be going, Meredith, her father, Roy and her two closest friends. Her friends were already pacing back and forth excitedly and she patted them both affectionately, knowing this was a bit of adventure for the two dogs. 

They took it slow so as not to push her father too hard, but they still arrived at the square with time to spare. A large crowd had gathered naturally mostly human with leviathan groups dotted about. Meredith nodded to those she knew, mainly other farm owners on the neighboring farms, but was not surprised when many barely nodded back. She had alienated many of their neighbors over the years and so she didn't blame them for their reaction. She wished it could have been different but it was too late to change things now. She was distracted from that line of thought by the Mayor's voice, she couldn't mistake that irritatingly chirpy tone even without her enhanced hearing. Thankfully the mayor did not go on too long and all too soon councilwoman Janus was picking two names from the cage. Meredith tensed as the woman opened the first of the two paper shapes. 

She registered that the first name wasn't hers with relief and watched the young blonde head towards the stage but her relief was short lived as she heard the second name. Hers. She looked at her father in shock and saw that shock mirrored on his face and he was already shaking his head even before she started towards the stage. Every fiber in her being cried out to her to refuse, the ceremony be damned, and stay with her father where she belonged. But she knew they would only force her and possible hurt her father in the process and that she could not allow. So she focused on getting to the stage her gait angry, more stalking than walking, and her face clenched trying to keep the anger inside. She hated the games, hated that those in power forced people to fight and die for amusement and wished that things could be different but she was only one person. 

[color=green]Damn it all to hell![/color]

She growled to herself as she climbed the steps and took her place, she returned the other chosen's nod with one of her own. In the crowd she could see her beloved Luna and Argent looking confused and trying to get to her, Roy held their leashes firmly, she wished she had spent more time saying goodbye to them as she might never see them again. Her father looked decades older in just the few moments since her name had been called. Meredith felt such panic and helplessness seeing him standing there looking so frail and worn down, who would keep the farm running and take care of him. Without her Roy couldn't handle the farm alone and her father could not help not anymore. He could lose the farm, his house and everything he owned all while she was in the arena. She held her father's gaze as long as she could, looking back over her shoulder even as she was led to the train. Her last image was of her father kneeling heavily, embracing her two dogs.