W E L C O M E, T R I B U T E S (Accepting)

[akitcougar]

((I just wrote up my reaping post, and it got really, really long...))

[panorama,]

Awe <3 Thank you guys! I promise after these few projects, I will be on a lot more.

And don't worry if your reaping post got long. That is encouraged haha xD

[akitcougar]

((This got way bigger than I planned. But I like it. Thankfully, long posts are okay for reapings.))

Rey Fox :: District Ten :: Reaping

A rooster crowed, signaling the dawn of a new day. Rey yawned and cracked his back, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He stood quietly, so that he didn't wake Jed up. He pulled on his leather jacket that he'd tossed on the floor the night before. His clothes, a flannel shirt and jeans, were rumpled from sleeping in them, but they were good enough to work with.

He walked out the back of the house and over towards the chicken coop. He grinned as he saw that some of the hens had laid eggs. He grabbed two and went back into the kitchen so that he could cook his breakfast.

Two scrambled eggs and an ersatz coffee later, Rey was awake enough to remember what day it was. His jaw clenched, and he stalked out to one of the barns. He grabbed a knife and started to cut away the hide of one of the older cows that had died last night.

Hours later, he was cutting the last bits of hide away when his Pa walked into the barn.

"Hey, Rey, you know what day today is, right?" he asked carefully.

Rey looked up from his work and nodded.

"You do know that they want you to look... presentable, when you're there."

Another nod. Rey looked at his clothes. They had some bloodstains on them, mostly on the shirt. His jacket had a few splatters as well, but they weren't as noticeable. His hands were covered, though.

"Your Ma wants you to get prepared and help with Jed. We need to be in town in about a half hour."

A third nod. Rey stared at his Pa until his father walked away.

Rey finished up the skinning. He'd get to butchering the old heifer later. Her meat was no good for their Capitol stock, but he could sell it on the black market. It was good enough for the District.

He cleaned off the knife and put it away. He then went looking around in the back of the barn for the spare set of clothes he kept there.

Finding the spare shirt and jeans, he hid in a stall as he quickly changed into them. He tossed his bloody clothes into the wash bucket, another thing he'd have to do when he got home. He pulled his jacket back on and walked up to the house to wake up Jed.

-----

A half hour later, Rey found himself in the crowd of kids waiting for the Reaping. He cracked his knuckles as something to do while he kept glancing towards his brother, who didn't entirely realize what was going on.

The mayor stood up and began reading the Treaty of Treason. Rey tuned him out, nervously adjusting his leather jacket. His hands still had some cattle blood on them, and the jacket still had the splatters on it.

His brother's clothes, thankfully, were clean and dirt free. Rey could clean up when he had to, but Jed being clean for longer than an hour was close to a miracle.

The mayor finished up his speech and turned the microphone to their gaudy Capitol escort.

"Welcome one and all! Let's find out who the lucky tributes will be this year!" she said in a voice that was way to high pitched for Rey's ears. He stared at her, annoyed.

She walked over to the girls' name bowl for a moment, before pausing as if to think. A fake grin spread on her face. "Let's start with the boys this year!"

She made her way to the boys' name bowl, and Rey's attention focused on her hand as she plunged it in. He wasn't worried. Most everyone his age took tesserae, so he had just as many names in as they did. Jed had even less of a chance, since Rey refused to let his take tesserae.

Still, there was always that feeling.

After a moment, she settled on a name card. She walked back over to the microphone in her loud, clicking high heels, and Rey got a bad gut feeling.

"This year's male tribute is Jedidiah Fox!" she called out.

"No..." Rey whispered, disbelief etched on his face as his stomach dropped.

Jed stared at Rey, wide-eyed. "Big bro?"

Rey's fists clenched. "No," he growled out.

The Peacekeepers made their way over towards the two brothers. Rey stepped in between them and called out in the loudest voice he'd ever used, "I volunteer as tribute!"

Rey was normally a very solid, emotionally stable boy who never seemed to appear anything more than neutral. Today, though, even those who didn't know him could clearly see the anger on his face.

The Capitol woman holding the name card stammered. "There's... usually an official call for volunteers once the selected tributes get onstage..."

Rey just turned and glared at her. The woman was clearly unnerved, since she stammered as she said, "Well, I suppose a break from tradition isn't all that bad. Bring him on up."

Everyone in the square was silent as Rey walked up.

"And what's your name, dear?" the Capital woman asked.

"Reynard Fox," he said, no emotion in his voice other than a slight hint of anger.

"Oh, that was your brother, wasn't it?"

Rey gave a short nod in response.

"You didn't want your brother to get all the glory, now did you? That's not fair to him," the Capitol woman said, giving Rey a condescending wink.

Rey's hands twitched, and he noticed that the Capitol woman looked down. Her eyes widened at the blood on them and the jacket.

"I didn't enter the Games to get your stupid glory. I entered to save my brother," he growled.

The woman stepped back, visibly shaken. She closed her eyes a moment and recovered, however, and said, "Well, after that excitement, let's move onto the girls!"

[Revelations.]

➸Ember Onyx➸xxxxxxI stood in the town square pressed against the bodies of other sweaty children. A girl next to me with dull, ordinary features shed a single tear. I watched in disgust as it slid down her cheek, all shiny and dirty from the coal dust upon her face. Show some dignity. It was because of people like her that the Capitol felt so superior to us. Because of the weaklings who give up the fight. I pointed my chin towards the stage when I heard a chipper Capitol voice sing "Ladies first." My eyes stared straight forward despite the warm feeling on my neck from my parents glares. I looked the way I always did. Strong. I watched with a stony expression as a name was extracted and unfolded. Was it my name scrawled on the scrap of paper? Everyone else in the square was probably thinking the same of themselves and/or loved ones. That's how all humans are in the end. They act all high and mighty, but when we go to war, it's every man for themselves. Why else would the Hunger Games work so well? Nobody WANTS to be shoved into an arena to hunt other kids for sport. And yet, every year a new victor is crowned, and the Capitols hold on us strengthens. I zoned back into the square to focus on the voice that rang through my District, naming this years Tribute. "Ember Onyx." I heard a gasp of horror behind me, and knew it was my mother playing it up for the cameras. Viewers just love the heart broken mother. I bet the capitol does too. Instead of crying out or glancing back at my family like most of the Tributes do, I just stepped out of the crowd, marched to the stage, and stood next to the extravagantly dressed announcer. Now, to meet my male counterpart. The boy I would have to kill to win my own survival.

★Wyatt Flash★xxxxxxThis is it. Todays the day. I was trapped in a crowd of desperation, distanced from my family. I looked back at them, blowing my sisters a kiss. Christinab giggled when she saw me and I turned back around with a sad smile on my face. On one hand, all I could think about was winning the Hunger Games to protect my sisters. On the other hand, if I didn't win, that would only be worse for them. I had been contemplating the idea of volunteering this year, but as I heard my youngest siblings giggle echo behind me, I decided against it. Let fate deal me the hand I'm supposed to live with. Or die with. The name of a young girl was called, and I watched as she went to the stage. What kind of tribute would I be? The kind who takes their place on stage, stony faced and strong? Or would I be unable to contain the fear for my sisters, and end up crying out for them. Not that I had to decide now. "Wyatt Flash." Apparently I did. Emotion swallowed me whole, drowning me in a sea of thoughts. What would my family do without my tesserae? Would Christina ever remember me? What would they say when she is old enough to understand? As more thoughts whizzed between my ears, I turned to my family, reassurance on my face. A single nod and half smile promised them. I would try my hardest to win. I might not be the strongest in the arena, or the fastest, or maybe not even the smartest. But I loved my sisters enough to try my d*mn hardest. This was the kind of tribiute I was, the face that was broadcasted throughout the districts. The face of a boy determined to win for his family. Thanks, fate. What a hand I've been dealt.

[.:Serendipity:.]

✄ ✂ TREY ✄ ✂

✂ I stood in the crowed of petrified children. May the odds be ever in there favor.
I couldn't bare this part of it all. The torture and suspense. Slowly killing us all.
Every second more painful than the other. I herd them call out a name. I had
zoned out thinking of an impossible thing. My name being call out. I reached reality
and noticed every one staring at me with relieved expressions. "Trey Axis? Where are you
dearie?" I stood in silence. Did they really call out my name. My nightmares were all true.
I knew I would be killed in those horrible games. Don't get me wrong, I love watching them,
but I wouldn't be so sure about participating. I slowly stepped forward. As I inched closer to the
stage, I herd my mother crying my name. A single tear rolled off my cheek and I stood there, in front
of my district. My nose slowly close and my heat pounded. I wanted to break down. But I needed to be
strong. Reputation always mattered. Well, at least in these times. I gave the crowed a big toothy
smile and waved. I was choking on the inside. I didn't want to die. But honestly, who would? I looked down at my family,
and a hot sheet of blurry tears layered over my eyes. I was going to be in the hunger games. And I was going to win.

☣ RYE ☣

☣ I stood on stage waving and blowing kisses to the crowed. "I am so
proud to be In this years annual Hunger Games!"I yelled into the mike.
I was so not pumped. Let this be noted that this was the first time
I did not want to be on that stage. Hearing them call out my name was
like watching some one slaughter my own parent. I tried to be casual,
but it was too hard to tell with all the emotions. I held up my arm as
the crowed roared. I knew they weren't happy for me. They were just
happy that their names weren't called out. I don't blame them though.
If I was in the crowed, I would be doing the same thing. I waved at my
crying brother. He would be okay without me. He always seemed to
manage. My Folks just stood there with fake smiles. I could spot their
fear. I had it too.

[Lady of the Shadows]

It was late when my mother woke me up. I was startled at first, because normally I got up at dawn. But I remembered why I could sleep in today. It was the Reaping.

I was confident that I wouldn't be drawn, as I didn't need tesserae. My family was very well off. Unlike most in my district, I wasn't all that eager to be in the Games.

I got up, and bathed. I used the minty soap that I used only on special occasions. It was strong enough to be scented from a few feet away, but it wasn't very strong, which I appreciated. I pulled on my dress. I sat still as my sister Pippa did my hair, she brushed it until it was sleek and shiny and adjusted it so that it framed my face.

"Thanks," I said, and she smiled.

"No. Thank you."

I walked to the Reaping that afternoon with everyone else. After they took my blood, and stood with my age group. A young woman hopped up on stage. She said something about how Gigi, the lady who used to draw the names, had decided to retire.

But then.

She walked to the bowls of names.

Instead of drawing one before the other, she reached both hands in at the same time. She looked at the female name first.

"Grace Roung!"

I stared at my feet, and blinked. People were pushing me forward until I was at the stage. I climbed the stairs slowly, like I could make myself disappear if I went slow enough.

However, I didn't disappear.

[.eggo.]

{ sorry it's so long, i kinda got carried away :3 }

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bubbles

name;; max shepard
district;; 10
allies;; none
mood;; devastated
tags;; none

bubble

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max sat in her fathers field, alone. she picked at some grass, shredding it easily. a bad feeling was sitting in her gut, but she was too afraid to bring it up around her father. a small voice called for her, but she didn't answer. instead, she remained in the field, watching the scenery as she picked at the grass that was tickling her bare feet. the unnamed voice called for her again, this time more persistent. not feeling the need to ignore the voice any longer, she stood, hand filling with grass, and slowly made her way towards the small hut she called home.

when she arrived, she was greeted by angry glares from her father and excited shrieks from her sisters. thy were still too young to understand the real danger behind the hunger games, so max let them have their moment. she skipped around the house, humming the national anthem of panem. even from the solitude of her room, she could hear them humming excitedly. max threw on her best dress, which was the only dress that wasn't covered in dirt or animal blood. she ran her fingers through her messy hair, managing to flatten it out and make it look presentable. once she was finished, she allowed her sisters to escort her to the place where the reaping was taking place.

max quickly found her friends, and stood by them in silence. she held their hands, and watched a familiar boy make a scene when his brother was called. she glared at him, thinking 'the capitol is just eating this up'. although deep inside, she was saddened by the events, because she knew if her sisters were ever reaped, she would do the same thing. it was now the girls turn, and max gave each of her friends' hand a squeeze. she shut her eyes tightly, praying for a miracle.
"maxwell shepard!"
she couldn't believe it. next to her, max heard to sharp gasps and a cry. max let go of her friends' hand, and slowly made her way to the stage. in the back row of the viewing crowd, two young girls cheered happily. when max was on the stage, she let a single tear fall. "would you like to say anything, dear-y?" the escort asked cheerily. max shook her head, afraid of choking on her own words if she spoke. she stared at the crowd as the escort congratulated her and this vaguely familiar boy, taking in every detail. this would probably be the last time she ever saw the place she once called home.

bubbles

bubbles

bubbles

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bubbles

name;; racer greene
district;; 6
allies;; none
mood;; indifferent
tags;; none

bubble

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racer awoke with a start. he was having horribly vivid nightmares of his father beating him in the most unusual ways. he shook it off, since this isn't the first time he's had this dream. luckily, he had awoken before his father, saving him a lashing. quietly, racer made his way to the kitchen, which was just five measly steps from the 'bedroom' he shared with his older brother, jax. his mother was already awake, but looked severely tired. she worriedly held a finger to her lip when she saw racer, but he held up hiss hands in reassurance. living with someone who abused you daily wasn't easy, but it was his life.

after another hour or so, his father had awoken. seeing half of his family up before him made him angry for some unexplainable reason. in order to relieve his anger, he hit racer, giving him a bright new bruise for reaping day. some days, racer hoped he was reaped so he could escape this torture. he knew that if he volunteered, his mother would fall to pieces. he stayed for her and her only. he looked outside, noticing some kids already making their way to town square, where the reapings were held. racer reluctantly changed into his nicest clothes, but didn't bother to hide the bruise from this morning. since he barely had any friends, racer walked alone to uncertain death.

racer stood next to two unfamiliar faces that shared the same expression, petrified. since the rest of the children were struck still with fear, racer felt even more out of place with an uncaring look upon his own face. he watched a terrified, unfamiliar girl walk up onto the stage, for she had just been reaped. racer tried hard to give a name to her face, but he truly did not now her. there was no use getting to know her now, anyways. she was headed for certain death. racer gave her a look of pity, then waited for the escort to call out the male name. as the escort fingered each name in the large bowl, racer couldn't help but sigh. everything done by the capitol was so dramatic. at long lasts, the escort had finally pulled out a name.
"racer greene!"
no one in the crowd gasped, nor did they jump in to take his place. racer made his way to the stage with a sick smirk on his face. instead of looking at the negatives, racer saw only positives. no more abusive father, no more fixing hover crafts for the capitol and no more district six. racer shot the cameras a sly smile before facing his district, who now looked more relieved than ever.

[Sonder.]

❝~~~~~~~~~~~~❞
xxxxK r u s i s
xxxxDistrict;; 7
xxxxMood;; Tba
xxxxTags;; None
❝~~~~~~~~~~~~❞

❅

My parents practically threw my in the shower to be properly cleaned for the reaping. There was still anguish in their eyes, though. I recalled last year when my little sister Anelli was selected for the reaping and sent into a slaughter.. I was wounded from working in the lumber field and wasn't permitted to volunteer. All I recall is her dark crimson curls and the cute smile she always had. A brick pounded me in the stomach; at least that's what it felt like as I stepped over to the crowd of other teenagers. I found it hard to stand up straight, knowing I was taller than most of the others around me. It made me feel targetted.. As though if I hid, I couldn't be picked. The escort of our district made an appearance, causing my every twinge of attention to direct onto her. I placed my hands in my pockets and pursed my lips with anxiety, a dark feeling looming over my head. She rejoiced and played the anthem, everyone giving it a keen glimpse. Except me. The lies made me sick. I didn't wanna even go into how much of a conspiracy this is.. How much it always will be a ploy.

"Alright now children. The time has come!" The woman cried out with a layer of glee. "The gentlemen will be the first lucky ones to have a go." She paced dreadfully slow towards the glass dome containing each and every one of our names. My anxieties wouldn't be so high hadn't I been the main supplier of the tesserae here. My name must be in there tenfold. She placed her polished hand inside and yanked out a name with ease, barely scraping the surface. I felt my heart begin to beat in the base of my neck, but a small breath silenced the fear. I released my emotion and simply prepared for the words to come from her mouth...

"Krusis Laventyn!"

Time stood still now. The people in front of me gave me a glare, then made a circle of space. It was really happening. I forgot to breathe, and my vision blurred. My adrenaline coursed through me like a jet-stream of poison, temporarily paralyzing me. Within enough time, though, I began to walk and head towards the stage. This was it. This was how. This was when. And I wasn't ready.

[Saxhleel]

Phlox shivered violently, pulling what clothing she had on tightly around her small frame. She didn't leave the house much due to her sickly nature so her small body didn't really know what to do when it was faced with an environment that was too hot, or too cold. But she had to suffer it today, she always had. Technically speaking. She shouldn't really even be entered for this sort of thing, she was too sick to survive for very long outside and although her condition wasn't critical right now, a few days away from her doting parents could probably push her into malnutrition.
As it was every year, she waited with baited breath as everyone was corralled into little pens -like cows to the slaughter- even though her name shouldn't be in there as much as others, she was worried. There were only three members in her family, they had just enough to eat and she had never had to take tesserae. Thankfully. Not that it made it any easier to watch as a name was picked from the hundreds and read aloud. Hesitation in the speaker's voice as they seemed to struggle with the sound.

"Phlox Cohen?" Then silence.

Wait...what?! That was her name! She felt her breath catch and her throat work like there was a stone lodged there. She looked down suddenly when all eyes seemed to rest on her. But unlike the other times this had happened, there was no sympathy, no grief over a wasted life, just, "Oh, better her than me." it wasn't as though she had a full life to live.
Slapping on a brave face she approached the little platform and took her place, but the cracks in her mask were showing, what little light there was in her eyes was fading fast as she looked out over the sea of faces before her. Her soft brown-green gaze landed on her mother's blue orbs. They exchanged a long look before smiling at each other , they had both known this day would come, they had both worked long and hard to accept that eventually the young girl would die prematurely. It was just neither had expected it so soon.

((Yeah that's probably the longest post you'll ever see from me unless something massive is happening...I also don't tag my character, sorry.))

[summer.]

Reserve for the male from District 8 please.