56th Reaping [D1]

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Lulu
Retired Staff

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56th Reaping [D1] Sept 4, 2010 7:31:50 GMT -5

Post by Lulu on Sept 4, 2010 7:31:50 GMT -5

The mayor of District One stepped out onto the stage, a smile plastered across his face as he stared into the cameras that surrounded it. It was time once again to choose two children to compete in the Hunger Games, and it was his job to do so.

"It is time," he said as he stood over the impatient people of his District, "To once again send two of our own children to the Capitol to compete in the Hunger Games. Let us begin the Reaping!"

He did not look to see the reaction of his district before reaching into the glass ball that held the names of the female children. "Ladies first," he announced, pulling out a slip of paper. He unfolded it and read out to the crowd, "Sapphire Ross!"

[/color] He then reached into the other ball. "Timothy Hearst!"

OOC- RPing is allowed. If you wish to volunteer, let the tribute post first either accepting or stepping down from their place for volunteers, and then post. If the tribute doesn't reply by midnight site time on Tuesday, September 7th, a staff member will post saying that volunteering is open. Please do not post until you see this staff message. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

Also, and this is really important: If you have been selected as a tribute and plan on going into the arena, we HIGHLY SUGGEST you take some RP Tutoring lessons ASAP. It doesn't matter what level RPer you are; everyone can use a little help. RPing a tribute is a PRIVILEGE; if you're not going to put the time and effort into making your posts the best they can be then you can count yourself among the dead...-evil laugh- It's not a requirement, but please please please just consider the lessons. They'll help even the most advanced RPer. [/blockquote][/size][/justify]

Last Edit: Sept 4, 2010 10:14:13 GMT -5 by Lulu

{lulu's cast}

Gorim
Retired Staff

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last seen Oct 7, 2014 22:04:52 GMT -5

56th Reaping [D1] Sept 4, 2010 8:30:54 GMT -5

Post by Gorim on Sept 4, 2010 8:30:54 GMT -5

Timothy flinches when his name is called, then swallows and starts forward. He doesn't look at anyone until he gets to the stage. Then, he looks out into the crowd.

Allen, pale and trembling visibly, even from the stage.

Luxa, crying silently; Allen will take care of her.

He sees Dimitri and Sarah too. To them, he nods, and to Sarah he even offers a small, probably rather weak grin.

Don't rip Allen to pieces while I'm gone, he thinks to Dimitri, because Dimitri barely tolerates his younger twin. At least try to be civil.

Then, in the midst of all the sadness and the feeling that he is going to die, a clear voice calls out, "You're gonna win, Timothy!"

This is a complete breach in Reaping protocol, but does that matter to Tabitha, his younger sister? Of course not. He finds her in the crowd, among many throughly startled faces, grinning and giving him two thumbs up.

Her confidence in him gives him strength. He finds himself grinning as he stands a bit straighter.

I can win, he thinks. I can win!

Last Edit: Sept 4, 2010 19:21:29 GMT -5 by Gorim

cinder
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I dream of a reality where my dreams may come true - 23 y/o in 2020 logging in and laughing

56th Reaping [D1] Sept 4, 2010 13:21:50 GMT -5

Post by cinder on Sept 4, 2010 13:21:50 GMT -5

RIP Dru Charlesburg, forever sixteen. You are ~~well beloved and missed~~ known and thought upon by all who even caught a glimpse of your lovely face and saw with their own eyes, the depth of your lovely personality. "You were #1--Spongebob Squarepants

There is something strange about attending a Reaping when you're still so young, but not young enough. Ghost imagines, for he has long since forgotten, what it must feel like for someone just young enough to escape the days events. He is nineteen. (still? asks a voice in his head, Ghost loses track of time easily, forever lost and bound to the world of his creations. There are drugs that can do that, mind you) His eyes scan the crowd--the wrong crowd--for a cousin Ghost once heard of. A little thing of a girl who would turn twelve by next year. She was safe too, safe as anyone can be in a District full of madmen ~~and Careers.~~

Last year there had been a girl, a pleasant monster with the looks of an angel and the characteristics of a demon even before the days of her Games. She had been a wicked child, probably only thirteen the first time Ghost noticed her sashaying about the District, and fifteen the first time she marched up to him and his Saph, spitting and hissing about her groups claim to Kade Warren. It had been amusing and frightening, the way she glowered at Saph and gave Ghost a half-pitying, half-scared, half-scary look that assured him that no matter what he did, no matter ~~who~~ what she did, Ghost would always be hers.

Ghost remembered seeing that look on her face so many times during the Games. Both looks, given together just as they had been that day in the streets of District One. Dru would glower at her alliance, whatever their name had been, then turn her soft-eyed, possessive gaze to Aranica Petros, the rightful Victor. Kade had to wonder about, "Ara," that frail, tiny champion. He had to wonder, as the rest of his District and the rest of Panem wondered, whether or not her winning had to do more with Dru's fearsome hold on the girl, or the girls natural talent. Not being one to think with the whole lot of them, Ghost had decided that Dru's hateful glare would and had always came first. A creature of malevolence can't be so benevolent as to allow a bumbling, rambling fool to live in her place. The opposition argued that yes, Dru had gone soft, but no, Aranica should not have won just because of this. Dru had even signed Aranica's body with her signature Limb-Slicing Falchion. She had smiled a twisted crazy grin, cried tears of poison and pulled out dart after dart after dart. The "killing" blow had been a bruise to her rear.

Kade wondered what would happen this year. Would there be an innocent little girl, much like his on-the-cusp-of-Reaping hood cousin, come from District One, who would be protected and loved by a ruthless, illegal hunter of District Twelve? Could there be two little cousins who survived together? How about two born-killers? Kade shook his head, the thoughts scattering as the uneasiness of pre-name-calling set in. He would not, could not bear to watch the Games these years. Every time he looked upon a dynamic duo he thought of his Melly, his Saph, his own failure to protect and guard them, no matter what they thought or think of him.

His somber grey eyes lift as somebody grumbles about time! Yes, it is time. The Mayors mouth moves, followed half a second later by the sound of his voice being projected across the District Square. Kade may not want to watch the Games this year, he may be capable of locking himself away in his workshop and never turning his eyes upward again, but his ears--they are sharp. They can't miss the sound of the female name being called out. It is repeated like a ~~Cult~~ Career Chant. It even drowns out the indistinct sounds of a name Ghost cares nothing for. It could even be his own, if he strained his ears.

"Sapphire Ross!"
"Sapphire Ross!"
"Sapphire Ross!"
"Sapphire Ross!"

No sense is made of this name for a little while, until realization dawns upon the slow mind of the artist.

Thats my Saph.

Arcadia, Illiana, Kade, Thea, Jezebel, Cassedy, Marina, Ronan, Karina

Lulu
Retired Staff

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56th Reaping [D1] Sept 4, 2010 21:04:08 GMT -5

Post by Lulu on Sept 4, 2010 21:04:08 GMT -5

Death.

That was always the first word that crossed Sapphire Ross's mind when she entered the Games Square, and it was also precisely the reason she hardly ever did so. Death or Eternal damnation. Either worked, really. Though perhaps the latter was more appropriate, because if you looked at it from a District One point of view (and obviously, Saph did) a fair number of the people Reaped here were likely to emerge victorious, hailing from a rich Career district. They didn't die. They were, however, pretty obviously damned; they'd never sleep well again, because although they wouldn't admit it, Sapphire knew that victors were often taunted by horrifying nightmares of the morbid scenes they had witnessed. Many put on a brave face for the crowd but succumbed to the pressing horror within them when alone. Many fell under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or various other poisons, because they believed it would help them forget.

Those champions would give anything to forget.

For the Reaping, the sixteen-year-old had donned a simple, modest dress of a dark blue hue. Her hair was nothing special, perhaps a little wavier than normal since Topaz had insisted on setting it in loose curlers that morning. She wore only the slightest bit of makeup, a rare occurrence for someone who never tolerated the stuff. Of course, this made her look even more plain beside Tope, who, as usual, had spent hours getting ready. She looked stunning in a form fitting dress spun with shimmering gold threads, with jewelry to match. She stood proud and tall on heels, which, as Sapphire knew very well, were her favorite type of shoe. Eyeshadow, the precise color of her dress, spread in the creases of her eyelids played up the gold in her eyes very nicely. The only thing that remained somewhat like it normally did was her dark red hair. It cascaded naturally down past her chest, with bangs (a new addition, Topaz hadn't had them for very long) swept lightly to the side. In Saph's eyes it was like the ugly ducking walking with the graceful swan.

This did not improve her mood by much.

"Saph? You've got to go that way." Sapphire was jerked out of her thoughts as Tope shoved her in the direction of the other sixteen-year-olds, rolling her eyes ever-so-slightly. She realized that she'd been so lost in her own mind that she'd continued to walk behind her sister as the older girl went towards the seventeens. "Can't follow me everywhere, you know."

She was joking, of course. But the comment stung, especially since Saph been thinking about just how ordinary she looked beside her. She mumbled something that sounded like "I don't follow you everywhere," just before parting ways with her sister to go stand by her age group.

She wasn't listening as the mayor made his speech. She'd heard it countless times before, because even when she'd been too young to be eligible she had come to the Reapings. They were obligatory for everyone. Instead she focused on the people gathered in the square. There were many familiar faces, but also people she'd never seen before; this district was so large that it was next-to-impossible to know everyone. Her parents were one of the few that sat in seats rather than standing; their family was old money in District One, that was to be expected. She saw more familiar faces, but no one else that really meant anything to her.

Suddenly there was a collective gasp, and then whispering, and then...cheering? Sapphire assumed the first name had been announced and she had missed it. Sometimes it sickened her, how the people of her home so envied those that were Reaped. Why did they think it was so fantastic, sending a child to his or her death? Why did--

Then she noticed the eyes on her.

Everyone was staring. "What?" She was utterly confused for a moment, and she hated being stared at. But then she caught the shocked expression on Topaz's face a few rows over, her mouth slightly open in undisguised shock. And then, as the chanting began, she realized what had happened.

Sapphire Ross. Cries of her name were echoing around the square. Her name. There could only be one reason why they were shouting her name.

Still in a daze, she felt herself being pushed forwards, out of the roped off section for sixteens, and up to the stage. The expressions of some of the people around her could only be described as jealous. She climbed the stairs, her heart pounding as fast as the rapid fire of a machine gun in her chest, hardly noticing the second name called. "Timothy Hearst!" That was when she noticed the face in the mob, a face she hadn't seen when she'd looked before.

Kade's expression was dumbstruck, those haunting eyes reflecting an emotion the young teenager couldn't quite put her finger on. She recalled the times in the coffee shop, how she loved to talk to him, even if he didn't always seem to think the same of her. No. "Kade."
Her words were softly whispered in a tone of disbelief. She'd never speak to Kade again. She couldn't. She'd be...what was that word again? Oh yes.

Dead.

[/color]

It was common for people to get dressed up for the Reaping; everyone did, especially in District One. Walking through the Square it was impossible to not see people who wore very ornate outfits indeed; gowns inlaid with precious jewels, dresses covered in glitter, tuxedos with vibrant designs, some of which seemed to be painted on...all sorts of things. Topaz, with her golden dress, jewelry, and makeup, looked relatively normal.

Like the majority of District One, Topaz never felt as pressured by the Reaping as most teenagers of other districts did. Sure, for some it was because they knew that in this place teeming with Careers there were plenty of those who would eagerly take their places and be sent into the hellhole that was the arena. But for Topaz, it was because...she didn't really worry about being Reaped. She knew she wouldn't give her spot up if she was, either. She was a Career, no matter how much her sister willed her not to be; that much was evident in the muscles that had built up on her legs, the way she could look at someone and know where the most lethal killing-targets were. She'd had training, just like everyone else.

And the strange thing was she wanted to go in. She wasn't afraid of dying, not that she'd ever let herself lose, of course. But even if death came...so what? What did she care? She didn't particularly love her life, anyway. Sure, it was fun. But she'd never gotten what she truly wanted out of it. Love. Success. Encouragement. It was all one big party, really, and at this point all she wanted was for the majority of the guests to leave.

And winning...well, she just had this idea that winning would make things a whole lot better. She had no clue how, or why, but it would. It would be a change from the crap she normally dealt with, and she'd be noticed in a more positive way than she had been of late. Now that would be nice. Drank a bit at one bash last week and now she was being called a wh--oh, forget it. There were more important things.

Tope didn't think much of the way she'd joked with Sapphire as her little sister walked over to her section of the square. Yes, she could tell that the comment had bothered her, but she'd get over it. She needed to stop being so touchy and enjoy herself once in a while. After all, their whole district considered this day to be a national holiday. And holidays were supposed to be fun.

Topaz didn't pay close attention for the mayor's speech, but of course her ears perked up as soon as he leaned toward the glass Reaping balls to select the names. Thousands and thousands of slips in there. A fair amount of them had her name on it. Would this be her year? She wouldn't mind it if it was.

"Sapphire Ross!"

The chant picked up, and the name of Topaz's sister, her only sibling, was passed through the crowd until even the people in the most remote corners of the square knew it. Sapphire Ross, female tribute from District One.

Wait a second, what the hell?

No. That was her sister! Saph couldn't stand to watch the Games, how the Capitol forced children against each other to fight to the bloody, brutal death. She holed herself up in the house while they were being broadcasted, not going out for anything. It devastated her, the innocent deaths, because she knew there was nothing she could do about them. And now they were going to throw Saph in there herself? She'd most certainly die.

It was the word 'die' that made the seventeen-year-old snap back into focus. Sapphire didn't have to be a tribute. This was something Topaz could change, unlike the rest of the events in her life that had gone so askew lately. She could take her sister's place. Did she want to, though? Was she really ready to sacrifice what would probably end up being her own life? And even if she did do it, was she doing it for her sister, because they were family and, regardless of the constant bickering they went through, she meant the world to Tope? Or was she doing it for herself, for the certain escape it would bring her? As much as she knew it was supposed to be the first, she had a nagging feeling that it was, in reality, the latter.

"Oh, screw it." What did it matter why she did it, anyway? The point was she could do it. "I volunteer!"[/color] The red-haired teen stepped over the rope that separated her from the short walk to the stage. Without waiting to be acknowledged she climbed up the small set of stairs and onto the stage to stand beside her astonished sister. Sapphire gawked at Topaz in disbelief.

"Tope, you can't..." Topaz watched as Sapphire bit her lip in frustration. It was obvious that, much as she loved her sister, Saph wanted to accept the offer. She didn't want to go into the arena. Her older sister did. Obvious solution, right there.

So, being sure her expression reflected absolutely no second thoughts, Topaz smiled. She spoke the same words she had earlier, but with apologetic sorrow in her voice rather than amusement. "Sorry, Saph. Can't follow me everywhere, you know."

Topaz Ross is now the District One female tribute.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/justify]

Last Edit: Sept 5, 2010 11:06:08 GMT -5 by Lulu

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jimmylost
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56th Reaping [D1] Sept 9, 2010 21:54:53 GMT -5

Post by jimmylost on Sept 9, 2010 21:54:53 GMT -5

Crystal's poor jugement had really gotten her into a sticky siuation this time. Standing among the other fifiteen year old girls, trying to blend in. She had gone to hell and back (literaly) and still managed to find herself unable to escape the reaping.

It all started with Marcuss, crazy murderer Marcuss. She shouldn't have followed him, maybe it would have been a risk turning the boy into the Peacekeepers right away, but now there was no way she could get away with telling them she had nothing to do with it. Now they where probably looking for her and here she was right under there noses.

After following him though, after that choise had been made and there was no turning back, she should have said something about the fence. The fence that had turned on right after they had climed over and cleared it, she sould have realized it was a means to drive them forward. Marcuss probably would have figured it out if she had said something, would have known they where heading for a trap. They might have been abel to get away.

Even after that though, even after they where standing on the rubble of district thirteen and the peacekeepers appeared, she had run. Now Marcuss was gone, presumably caputured, she'll probably never see him again.

Her next move had been just as clever as her last few of course. She didn't know where to go, district twelve was supposed to be near thirteen but Crystal could be walking around in circles for years before she found it. All she could do was backtrack, back to district one. It had taken her so long to get back to the familier fence but then she had to wait for the power to turn off so she could finaly get back in. It was then that she discovered the usual times they cut the power, knowlege she logged away for if she would have to leave again.

Of course Crystal hadn't bothered to keep track of time, she didn't know that she entered her district a week before the reaping, when they turned the electricity on full blast 24/7 just in case there where some pre-reaping runnaways. Now she was trapped until the reaping had passed, and she knew that there would be no escapeing the reaping it's self. That was when the searched the whole district for any stray children after all, and getting caught and dragged to the district square would only draw attention.

So she timed it so she arrived with the largest crowd and stood in the middle of her section, her intention was to dissapear in the activity of the post-reaping. And go back to what exactly?

No she couldn't go home, she wasn't that stupid to attempt trying. She had been living on the streets, stealing clothes off their lines in backyards and takeing showers in a different traing center each night. It was a stressfull unforgiveing life but it was better then being back in the woods, where every morning she had to remind herself she wasn't in The Games, surviveing off edible plants because she was too afriad to hunt.

Sure she might have been able to last the rest of her life out there, but it would be at the cost of her sanity. Did she miss her old life? Of course, it was almost painfull sometimes seeing an old face from training and haveing to hide herself when all she wanted to do was run up and bag them to help her. Especially now, when she had to hide her face under a ridiculuse hat she found in the trash.

Her reaping out fit was made up of nothing but stolen and thrown away clothes. It was probably a risk wearing the pale blue dress she had found in a traing center change room, but without it, she would have stood out far to much.

She kept her head down, through the speach from the mayor, through the reaping its self. As soon as the crowds started to spread out she made her way out of the district square.