Branden Sykes District - 4

The young man named Branden Sykes stands at 5'9, making him taller than most, but shorter than some.He likes to work out by running, which has made his legs and cardio system strong. However, He has a sweet tooth and so has packed on just a few extra pounds around the middle.He has carmel skin, not due to a tan but due to his Native american parentage. His wavy, raven-black hair hangs down to his shoulders.

Moving on to his face, Branden has a mustache and a light goatee framing his mouth. His nose is slightly big, and is a feature he doesn't care for.
Branden's teeth are close to white but are slightly crooked. His eyes are a deep chocolate brown and can be seen behind a pair of glasses. His eyesight could stand to be better.

He considers himself lucky, as he is one of those to have made it to the age of nineteen without having ben reaped.His luck has held ou. This has caused him to have a laidback, happy-go-lucky attitude. When he's not packing fish to ship to the capitol, he busies himself by singing to anyone who wants to listen. And some who do not. He is generally a trustworthy and honorable companion,and happens to be a good judge of character. However, he is sometimes too trusting of women.

He is highly protective of his younger siblings, Although none of them are old enough to be reaped, it is a constant source of worry for him about what could happen when they are of age.To take his mind off of worry, he injects humor into his everyday life.He tries not to use inappropriate humor, but will often use humor in serious situations, earning him the ire of his elders.

He enjoys living in district four, smelling the salty sea air, watching the waves crash upon the beach, and hearing the cry of sea-birds. He often stares out over the sea and wonders if somewhere far away, someone is standing on a distant shore and staring back at him. But you won't catch him near the water.
Branden tries to hide his deepest secret as best he can, by staying in the guttery and shipping departments. He rarely is seen actually fishing; for Branden is Aquaphobic. How deep does this phobia go? It it rooted in his psyche, and displays itself physically. Whenever he is near the ocean you can see him change.

His jovial demeanor fades quickly. The smile falls from his face, and is replaced my clenched teeth. His eyes widen and he turns pale. If he cannot avoid being near water for a longer period of time he becomes snarky, lashing out with his tounge and insulting all those who are near. And if he is forced into water? He thrashes wildly until he makes it to shore or onto a boat. Whatever's closer. However, Once he is out of the water, you might say he acts a bit... deranged. The longer he's in the water the longer he is violent once he gets out.

Born into one of the many fishing families native to District Four, Branden grew up learning about the fishing trade. His father is the first mate aboard a fishing vessel, and his mother, a homebody who makes bread out of seaweed. His extended family consists of a lone, anti-social uncle who makes his home on the docks. Branden does not keep in contact with his uncle, and ignores any questions asked about him.



When he was twelve, he was involved in a fishing accident in which he became caught in a net and dragged to the seabed. He was rescued, but not before nearly drowning. That same accident ruined his eyes. How did water ruin his eyes you ask? It did not. Rather, a seaborne parasite lodged itself behind his eyes. The local doctor was able to operate and successfully remove it, but did not close the up the wound correctly. The resulting mistake affected his ocular nerves. Though no one he knows gives that incident much thought, Branden does, and has made it a point to avoid water ever since.

At the age of fourteen, he began an apprenticeship at the nearest guttery, and to this day spends his work hours cleaning fish and packaging them in brightly colored cans for the Capitol. His fourteenth year was also the year his parents had triplets, in the form of two girls and a boy.When he was seventeen, he had to take the place an injured sailor upon a fishing vessel. His discomfort was plain, but ignored until a small squall knocked him overboard. After a few minutes of thrashing, the other sailors pulled him back onboard, and then recoiled in dismay.

There was a wild look in his eyes, and he formed no coherent words. He crouched on the deck, dripping and shaking. When a sailor touched his shoulder and asked if he was alright, he lunged at the man, knocking him down, and began to throttle him.The other seamen broke up the fight qucikly, but they left Branden to the shipping industry after that. Now at the age of nineteen, he hopes that his siblings will never be picked for the Games.