The moment you look at Corran, it's obvious she's a Devereaux. Pale skin, slim figures, sharp cheekbones and prominent facial structure gives them all an elegant, sophisticated aura. There's never a scratch on Corran, as her mother treats all her children like fragile little china dolls and refuses to let her youngest even run around the house, so Corran tries to avoid getting hurt as much as possible so as not to upset her mother. Then again, Corran is the spitting image of a tiny little doll, small for her age, lean, and long, blonde hair that is always immaculately done up, her favourite style a braid across the front of her hair and twirled into her ponytail. All the Devereaux children have their father's distinct button nose and light blue eyes that almost look grey in dark light. You can often catch Corran staring - or more, observing - you with her surprisingly daunting stare, for a 14 year old.

People are fascinating. Mother says not to stare, but I'm not staring. Merely inspecting, breaking down movements and facial expressions and quirks and poise. She doesn't understand, anyway.

The Devereaux's are wealthy, for a family of the Districts - always well-dressed and presented, so Corran isn't one without nice clothes. They specialise in making and selling fine jewellery, so Corran always has gorgeous bracelets, pendants and earrings to accompany her outfits, but takes fancy to a particular pair of square-gemmed, light blue earrings that were her Grandmothers. Corran has never been too fussy about clothes, compared to her sisters who fume and panic when their favourite dress isn't washed, ironed and pressed, but she likes to look nice, regardless. Often she can be seen strolling around District 1 in sun dresses and little ballet flats, and in winter, warm, fuzzy coats and boots to match.

Might as well try to look reasonably nice if you've got the chance. I'm not too fussy when it comes to image, but whatever. My sisters are the drama-queens, just like Mother. Annoys the hell out of me. I do like jewellery, though, I won't lie.

Corran barely talks. If she does, you'll most likely get either a simple Yes or No answer (and don't even try to get anything else out of her, you're down to nods or shakes of her head now, if she's stuck around long enough to communicate with). It's not that she's shy, or rude, as some people assume, she's just not a talker. She's an observer, a thinker. Much too caught up in studying other people: how they walk, how they communicate, how they react, to open her mouth. Corran is fascinated by the way that all people are different, and how subconscious body movements can tell someone so much about another person.

It's not you, it's me. Studying you.

Being the 4th of 6 children in the Devereaux family, it's hard for Corran to stand out amongst her other siblings. Whilst her brothers and sisters are more flamboyant and outgoing, Corran is withdrawn and quiet; sometimes it's as if she's never there. If she weren't portrayed so eloquently she would fade into the background altogether. Her other siblings scoff at her supposed coldness, thinking it shameful of her not to want to boast of her status and pretend like there aren't another 11 districts below 1. People at school and others her age in District 1 respect her and follow her around, but if it weren't for her last name she'd probably be left completely alone. At school, she's known simply as Devereaux, as she sometimes, but only for a few moments, likes to indulge on the fact that her family is well-respected whenever someone calls her name. Her parents are well-known in the District and so is she, so it's not uncommon for her to be attending a dinner party every other week. Good manners and polite motifs have been drilled into her since she was barely able to talk, so charm comes easily to her. With a famous surname comes her parent's work friends and associates, people she can't remember meeting before who pat her head and tell her they can't believe how much she's grown and remarks about how she and her sisters could be triplets, whether she likes it or not. She was born into this name, so of course, she has to grin and bear it. Or, in Corran's case, poker-face and bear it.

Half the time I don't know who the hell these people are, but Mother says I should at least pretend that I know them. I don't want to let Father down, either, so I won't act rude. Sometime's I'll smile. Just for his sake, though.

Observant and thoughtful, Corran likes to take trips with her father to work (without he mother knowing, of course) and watches him create his products. She's always been a Daddy's girl, and dislikes the way her mother fusses and whines over the silliest of things. Her father is more carefree and thoughtful, although knows when and where to be sensible, much like herself. She's the only Devereaux who's interested enough in the family business to find out how the jewellery the rest of her family wears so simply without thought is made, as these luxuries have become almost basic items for them, so her father never obliges. He's happy enough that at least one of his children is interested. She's fascinated by the time, effort and preciseness that goes into each and every piece, down to the last detail. Eagerly studying the jewels he produces, she even more closely studies her father at work. She watches as he carefully designs each piece, fitting the jewels into gold and silver, engraving spiralled patterns and cursive words into bracelets and charms. If she safely makes it out of the next 4 reapings, Corran is sure that she will carry on in her father's footsteps.

I like the jewellery store. I think there's a real art in making and crafting the pieces and pendants, and there's so many dimensions to it, too. It's fascinating.

Corran was born in District 1; the fourth child of Maryssah and Dechlan Devereaux in the afternoon of May 19th. To say she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth would be an understatement. Growing up, Corran had it good, to say the least. Her family was rich, despite having 6 children, and could easily support 6 more, if they wanted. From the moment she was taken home, she was showered in the best tasting food and prettiest clothes, given the nicest toys to play with and most trusted nannies to look after her. Nothing but the best for her children would be enough for Maryssah Devereaux, and she still lives by that motto today.

Yeah, I was born lucky. Go figure.

None of the Devereaux children ever needed to sign up for tessarae, but every reaping still sent an anxious tension through the household. Despite their differences, the siblings became closer than any other time of the year. As they stood in line, waiting for the female tribute's names to be called, the Devereaux sisters would clasp each other's hands tightly and squeeze their eyes shut, holding their breath, until the tribute's name was called and they'd sigh deeply in relief, loosening their hands slightly until the male's name was called, and then let go of their hands at last, wanting to collapse to the floor in allayment. Once they'd reach their house after the whole ordeal, all 6 of them would gather around and form a tight knit of hugs and shaky breaths of laughter, sometimes a few tears, thankful that none of them had been picked from that dreadful bucket of names. Even little Kyte, who was only 10 and too young to be reaped, would join in with the few minutes of appreciation for one-another. Because the Devereaux's would always, always be thankful that for another year, 6 would not be cut down to 5.

I can't stand them most of the time, but... it's nice. Those few minutes after reapings. Just to reassure one another that we're all still together. Keeps us sane, y'know?

Despite the family's luck in reapings, the children took part in optional District 1 Careers training throughout the year. Even Corran, who wasn't supposed to join in until she was 16 because her mother 'couldn't possibly let my little Corran get hurt by those other brutal children', began attending since she was 10. Her two oldest sisters were only a few more years to 18, and if her little sister would be picked, she'd be the only person who could save her from potential death. Years of studying people and the other children in the training gyms gave Corran an unknown advantage. She always knew the strategies and weaknesses of her opponents: which arm was their better hand, what their weapon of choice was, and sometimes even what their next few attacks would be. Being quick and nimble had it's advantages too - by now she could leap from rooftop to rooftop of her neighbours houses with only a mere light thump of her feet hitting tiles as she landed. Pixie-like, they called her, and she'd let them believe that until she possibly one day had to face them in the arena. Let them be fooled.

I can read you like a book.

Again, being brought up in District One had it's advantages. Corran quickly learnt to swim, read, tell plants from another, how to light a fire with barely any wood, all the basic survival skills and more. Only in Career training did she fully take in all her opportunities and assets of District One - soaking in as much as her brain would let her. Better to be safe than sorry, that's what her father had told her.

Father always knows best.

If there are any spelling mistakes it's probably because I use British English Hope this isn't too long, and if you see any mistakes/things that don't make sense/stuff I need to elaborate please tell me!

description: this is someone describing me. [aa5544]
thinking: this is me, thinking.[ccbbcc]