History Fanfic / SomeSemblanceOfMeaning

* CannotSpitItOut: Apparently, this was true for Kit towards [[spoiler: Laurel Whitaker... until his interview with Caesar Flickerman]].

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: Many of Kit's lines.
* CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming: A lot of Vale's moments with her family or with Kit.

* EvilIsSexy: Amber, who plays up the alluring angle in her interview and is one of the most depraved tributes.

* PortmanteauCoupleName: The writer ''and'' some of the readers like to use "Valesidian."

* TearJerker: From about a couple chapters in and onward. And it only gets worse from there. See also: [[spoiler: Kit's death]].

** Even the pragmatic voice comes across as a tsundere in Chapter 75, when it compliments Vale during a fight, only to tell her that it's not like the pragmatist likes her or anything. Then, it calls her an [[{{Baka}} idiot]].

** Later, [[spoiler: Obsidian]] attempts suicide multiple times after [[spoilers: he wins the Games and is left to deal with the subsequent trauma. He doesn't succeed.]]

* ForegoneConclusion: [[spoiler:There are only three District 12 victors, all of which are accounted for.]]

* ContinuityCameo: Several characters from the Hunger Games series make appearances, although the fanfic occurs thirty years before the original series. Hazelle, Vale's youngest sister, is said to be the same Hazelle who will become Gale's mother. Then, of course, Caesar Flickerman appears to conduct the tributes' interviews. Apparently, Katniss's father, still a child, lives down the street from Vale's family, and Vale reportedly once had a crush on a boy named Saben Undersee, who could be the future mayor or a relative. obsidian also mentions having two younger brothers- twins, named Castor and Pollux. Also, young Effie Trinket eventually makes an appearance.

* ContinuityCameo: Several characters from the Hunger Games series make appearances, although the fanfic occurs thirty years before the original series. Hazelle, Vale's youngest sister, is said to be the same Hazelle who will become Gale's mother. Then, of course, Caesar Flickerman appears to conduct the tributes' interviews. Apparently, Katniss's father, still a child, lives down the street from Vale's family, and Vale reportedly once had a crush on a boy named Saben Undersee, who could be the future mayor or a relative. Also, young Effie Trinket eventually makes an appearance.

* ShoutOut: Several, when one is looking for them (or occasionally, they'll just be pointed out in the author's notes): TheTwilightZone, The39Clues, TaylorSwift, {{Paramore}}, TheMusicMan...

* InTheBack: When [[spoiler: Obsidian is leaving the pack]], he ends up stabbing [[spoiler: Ford]] in the back. This comes back to haunt him, and later on, in his fight with Achilles, the latter mocks him for being a backstabber. Then, [[spoiler: when Obsidian has him prostrate on the ground and is preparing to kill him, Achilles asks him to just let him turn over first, so he won't stab him in the back, and lets him tab him in the chest instead.]]

* ShoutOut: Several, when one is looking for them (or occasionally, they'll just be pointed out in the author's notes): TheTwilightZone, The39Clues, TaylorSwift, {{Paramore}}...

* FirstKiss: As Vale laments being reaped, she thinks of the fact that she'll never get her first kiss. [[spoiler: Naturally, she does get it later- from Obsidian.]]

* WideEyedIdealist: Vale has an idealistic side, which is often in contrast with [[TheCynic "the pragmatic voice"]] in her mind.

This story follows Vale as she prepares for the Games and ultimately enters the arena, where she struggles not only to survive but to protect her [[KidSidekick twelve-year-old district partner]], [[DeadpanSnarker Kit]] and to keep a promise she made to her younger sister by keeping her own humanity intact in the process. As trial after trial arises to put her strength of body and heart to the test, Vale discovers that she is not as powerless as she believes—and learns that there is much meaning to be found in risking everything for the people she loves.

* DoNotCallMePaul: After [[spoiler: being traumatized by Vale's death and his own subsequent "victory"]], spoiler: Obsidian lashes out at his caretakers who call him by his given name, instead telling them to call him Sid.