District 8: Irina Northe

Part 1: The Basics



1. What is your full name?
Irina May Northe

2. Where and when were you born?
I was born in District 8, fourteen years ago.

3. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
I have seven siblings. Yes, it is a houseful, but most are my half brothers and sisters. My mother had a thing for dating around, and we all ended up in the same house. There is Raoul, who is my true brother, and three years older than me at seventeen. Then there is Rufus, who is four years older than me at eighteen and the son of my mother’s highschool boyfriend, Wim. Graham is sixteen, the son of Genos. There are the twins, my half-sisters, Rosie and Posie, who are actually seven and the daughters of my mother’s latest ex-husband, Keirluth. Then there is my arch enemy, Chandler, who is my age and very vain. He is always stealing away my attention when I get it. Of course, the only reason he’s even in the family is because my mom took pity on him and dragged him off the streets. She is too soft-hearted, I tell you. It is hard to get attention in such a big family, anyways. Last but not least, baby Hen. Her full name is Henlucaiy, but we call her Hen for short. She is two weeks old, and also my true sister. My mother has recently gotten back together with my father, Derlyus.

4. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
I live in a run-down house full of screaming children and fighting half-siblings. It’s impossible to get a moments peace with two bedrooms and four chairs in the living room. Having only six chairs at the table, whenever we get enough food to share it’s impossible to seat everyone. My brothers often wrestle for chairs, knocking a few over in the process. Rosie and Posie have a fondness for screaming in glee, and they get excited oh-so-easily.

5. What is your occupation?
I’m a student, trying my hardest to learn, despite the fact I have to go to school with Chandler, who sits right next to me in class.

6. What do you look like?
I have very puffy dark brunette hair that reaches my mid-back. I usually wear it down, and it seem sto go everywhere but up. My skin is light and I have a few freckles. My face is oval, and I have light hazel eyes. I am average height, and only slightly underweight. I’ve got ugly, doorknob knees that I am embarrassed to show.

I can usually be found wearing a t-shirt and skirt that covers my knees well. I don’t often wear shoes, though I do run everywhere. My hands are bony, but they are strong and quick. I like to think they are talented, being most of what I can do is shown from them. I am fairly strong, and can beat my adopted brother Chandler at fights. I am fairly dirty, but can clean myself up easily. I never get dirty beyond what I can clean up, trust me.

7. To which social class do you belong?
We’re very poor, and usually can’t get enough food. I know my siblings will secretly go off and eat food on their own sometimes, which is rather selfish but understandable.

8. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
I’m an albino, giving me my own personal problem. It seems all the kids with the last name Northe end up somehow weird.

9. Are you right- or left-handed?
I’m ambidextrous, which means I can write with either my left or right hand.

10. What does your voice sound like?
It’s rather high, and the ruder of my brothers have taunted me before. Of course – isn’t that what siblings are for? When I’m surprised, I squeak.

11. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
Whenever I’m disappointed, I say “darn.” And like I just said, when I’m surprised I tend to let out a high squeak.

12. What do you have in your pockets?
A pencil and a scrap piece of paper.

13. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
I like sleeping under the bed, rather than on it. People call me queer sometimes, but it saves bed space so I don’t see why they should be complaining.



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Part 2: Growing Up



14. How would you describe your childhood in general?
I’d say my childhood was filled with crazy siblings running around the house like chickens with their heads cut off. You can guess there wasn’t a lot of attention for anyone but the troublemakers, and it was quite a show watching my mother jump from boyfriend to husband to strangers on a drunken night. I’m surprised she doesn’t have forty children, rather than eight. My own father disappeared right after having me, and I’m just now meeting him.

15. What is your earliest memory?
My earliest memory is at seven years old, when Chandler came. I was at the window watching my mother as she sat outside with Rosie and Posie, when this boy who was slightly taller than me started screaming across the street. By the time I looked up to him, my mother was talking to a peacekeeper, convincing him she was the boy’s mother. Well, after that we learned he had wandered away from the Community Home, and my mother made an addition to the family.

16. How much schooling have you had?
Eh, kindergarten to now would be eight or nine years. Nonetheless, my mother once said I seemed to have fifty. I’m very clever, and can solve problems rather quickly. I’m the one my siblings go to when they need homework help, and it makes me feel more mature. I’m an excellent teacher. Maybe when I get older, instead of rushing off to the textile mills, I could become a teacher. Someone has to do it, anyways, right?

17. Do you enjoy school?
Enjoy? No, not at all. I love school! Learning new things gets me giddy, and I beg my teachers to stay after school with me every now and then to teach me more. I need details. My favorite subject is science, and learning how things work. I’m not very eccentric, and to tell the truth Science is my lowest grade, at 98. I get rather clumsy when it comes to experiment time, but the written tests are all gold for me.

18. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
I like to think my extreme artistic skill is natural. I can recreate a picture like a photograph, and don’t even need to be looking at them. One glance is enough. Photographic memory really comes in handy for this girl don’t you think? I’d say I’m very sly. I learned the skill from Raoul, who I sneak out with sometimes to steal food. It’s not an honest way to get it, but we do what we must to stay alive.

19. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
I did always look up to Raoul, following him around and whatnot. It also helped he was my blood brother, and had a few faint memories of our father to tell me. Faint, but there. When we were younger we shared a room, and I always thought it amazing he wasn’t scared of the dark. Now that we’re older, I have to sleep under Rosie and Posie, but I still think my older brother is brave and wonderful.

20. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
I always tried to separate myself from them, besides Raoul. They seemed so foreign to me, despite us being related. I wasn’t too fond of my mother, though she was certainly someone to watch. Her life was like a movie to everyone in the house, always wondering if that man she was talking to in the square would give us another mouth to feed.

21. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always wanted to become a teacher, end of story. I am, like I said before, a very smart girl, and I have a talent for teaching people what I know. I’m always correcting people and shouting out answers. My siblings call it annoying, I call it helpful.

22. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
I’m not very popular. I actually try to keep my distance from people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a mute or a loner or anything like that. I just don’t like to engage in conversations. I prefer to listen to two people talk, then blurt out an answer to a question. They may try to include me, but I’ll just keep doing what I was doing, completely focused. I only listen in case there is something to answer or correct.

23. When and with whom was your first kiss?
I actually haven’t had my first kiss yet. I still think it would be kind of gross, so we can count on that not happening for a while.

24. What was the most terrifying moment of your life?
I was eleven, and was walking home from school one afternoon in winter. It was the last day before winter break, and I was freezing. I was walking through the square, attempting to get home through the crowd, when I reached the empty road that led to my house. At the exact moment I stepped onto the road, I was surprised by a sudden shoving on my side. I don’t remember a thing after that, but by what I’ve been told, a horse almost trampled me. My question is – what was a horse doing near my house? Yes, my house was near the woods, but do you really think a runaway would come into District 8?



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Part 3: Past Influences



25. What do you consider the most important part of your life so far?
I’d say school, for now. I rely on it to prevent me from working in the mills, as I’d much rather be in a classroom.

26. Who has had the most influence on you?
Either Raoul or my teachers. Raoul because he has taught me so many life skills, which I will use forever. My teacher is helping me create my future, which I hope is not dull and boring.

27. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I consider not going crazy an achievement. Almost all my siblings are in some way a nutcase. (I said almost.) It’s hard to deal with it sometimes, as they get so annoying. I know it isn’t their fault, and I’m just a weird as they are in the long run, but it’s still difficult.

28. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
When I was ten, I stabbed Chandler on the leg. He was chasing me around the house, threatening to kill me for purposely putting all the wrong answers on his homework. He was playing around, of course, and didn’t mean to do anything more than kick me. When he grabbed me he playfully banged my head on the table, and thinking he was serious, I stabbed him with the nearest object, which happened to be a knife. He still has that hole of a scar on his leg, and I thank him for telling my mom he did it on accident and not getting me in trouble.

29. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
None on record, but I do steal from merchants every now and then. Usually Raoul takes the blame if I get caught, and I‘ll be forever in his debt for the punishments he has gone through a few times.

30. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
I would never have stabbed Chandler. He seems to hold it against me so often, it could almost be blackmail.

31. What is your best memory?
My best memory, is of course with Raoul. I was eight when this happened, and he was eleven. He was in an especially good mood that day, and we were having fun playing games around the square. I enjoyed playing tag, because he would always be slow and let me catch him, and wouldn’t tag me for a while. At the end of day, he pulled out coins he had picked off the ground throughout the day and had enough to get us ice cream! I love bonding with my brother, and that day, though simple, will always be remembered as one of the best days of my life.



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Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions



32. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
I’m kind of in-between, I don’t think too much about bad things, but I also don’t run around telling everyone it’s gonna be alright. I am not too happy with a large family, and sometimes I complain, but not too often.

33. What is your greatest fear?
I’d have to say, when it comes down to it, my greatest fear is peacekeepers. Not the Games, as so many people fear. I have seen many times how cruel they can be, and I try my best not to get in their way. I don’t steal if I can see a peacekeeper nearby, and I run as fast as I an if one seems to appear from nowhere. Raoul, on the other hand, is different than I. He doesn’t seem to care if one is right behind him. He just does it, and it worries me, especially since I have to watch him be punished for it every now and then.

34. What are your political views?
Not a big fan of the Capitol, but other than thought I haven’t really got any.

35. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
I like to think I wouldn’t be able to kill, because I’d rather die innocent than live guilty. When I really think about it though, I might do it in a life-or-death situation. If I can find a way around it, I will. I only find it acceptable if it’s an I– die– or– you– die situation.

36. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
I think that would be torture. It is just wrong. Why can’t you just kill them, instead of putting them through all that pain? Ask nicely, even.

37. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I don’t believe in that junk, though Rosie and Posie keep trying to get me to. I think people fall in love when the conditions are set right, and the people have personalities that can easily get along. In my opinion, marriage is useful for having someone to help you and care about you, having a lifelong best friend.

38. What do you believe makes a successful life?
I think hard work makes a successful life. Being kind and not selfish is also an important part. Having a partner to help you through tough times will aid you, and children to love you as well.

39. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
I’m semi-honest when it comes to my feelings. When they are acute, I’ll hide them to prevent getting in trouble. When I’m very angry or upset, I let the person know. I don’t think it’s healthy to keep all my feelings locked up in side all the time. Yes, I do have my secrets, and I won’t tell them, but I also have things I’d really like to share.

40. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
No, I have a firm belief we are all equal, though I do have a loathing for people who do not.

41. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
I absolutely, positively, will never ever ever have a child without being married first. I will make sure I really love the man I marry, then I will make sure he is the one I want to have my children with. If I divorce and get remarried, I won’t have any more children. Well, that’s what I think for now, and hope it stays that way.

42. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
I really love Henlucaiy, but I don’t think I would die for her. The only person I’d do such a thing for would be Raoul, who I’ve known forever and is my best friend though he is my brother. If he was ever to get Reaped, I’d die. Just plain die. I can’t volunteer for him.



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Part 5: Relationships With Others



43. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?
I don’t really talk to people I don’t know unless they say something first. I enjoy making friends, I’m just a bit newbie shy. When I really get to know someone though, I can be the best friend they’ve ever have. I’ll keep your secrets, and give you help when you need it. To my enemies though, I’m rather cold.

44. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
The most important person in my life, at the time, would be Raoul. He tells me what to do, and I do it. Without him, I think I might be dead. I’m not as tough as he is, and I still need his protection most of the time. Raoul plays a big part in if I eat or not. He is actually still showing me how to do some things. He is the main reason I’m so stealthy, and know what I do. He is my most important teacher.

45. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?
I respect my mother the most. Though she has remarried so many times, and had a few children without marriage, I still respect her for her bravery through tough times. She manages not to go crazy surrounded by all of these children. She didn’t even act differently after one man… decided to make her have a child. Though I still remember the relief in her eyes when he failed.

46. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.
I have one good friend at school, and her name is Marley. I only ever talk to her at lunch and whatnot, so some people might not count it. Raoul is my best friend, of course, despite being my brother. I hang out with him and his friends sometimes, and they call me Nora. I don’t like nicknames, that one in particular.

47. Do you have a spouse or love interest? If so, describe this person.
No, none of that. My mother says I’m too young to start “looking around”, and I don’t. I’m honestly not interested, if you are wondering. I’ve had crushes before, of course, but no guys ever seem to really like me much. I sometimes wonder if anyone ever will, and Raoul has to reassure me. One of these days someone will, right? Well, only time can tell that type of thing.

48. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
No, I’ve never been in love. Like I said before, I’ve only ever had crushes and they never turned out to be equal. I’m awkward around guys, and I doubt I’ll ever find someone until I’m twenty.

49. What do you look for in a potential lover?
Now there is a good question to answer. I look for someone who will be kind to me and understand my troubles. He doesn’t need to be strong, or tall, or have any certain appearance. I want someone who will be honest and trustworthy. Not too vain, but not a depressed lunatic. I can make exceptions, depending on the certain situation.

50. How close are you to your family?
I’m not too close to my mother, as she is always too busy taking care of my siblings and trying to find her Mr. Right. I never knew my father until a week or two ago, when he showed up trying to whisk my mother off her feet, literally. He tries to bond with me, but I smell the alcohol on his breath. I don’t trust him. With Rosie and Posie, I do play with them, but I also find them slightly annoying. I’d never trust them with my secrets, under any circumstances. Obviously I’m not too close to Chandler. I love Raoul as my brother, as I have previously mentioned. I tell him everything. There isn’t one single secret I have kept from him, ever. He is like an unbreakable rock. I do love my new sister Henlucaiy that my mother surprised us with. She came in my father’s hands, and that’s when I met him. I still associate her more with my father than I do Raoul. But, as she is my only direct sister I do try to bond with her the way I do my one direct brother Raoul. Rufus and Graham are not very significant in my life, and don’t get much of my attention.

51. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?
I haven’t started my own family yet, but once I grow up and get married, I want to have a few. Not one, but not fifty. I’m thinking somewhere around the number three would be fine, but no more than five. I don’t care if they are girls or boys, I will love them anyways. I’d like to have lots of grandchildren to talk to. I hope they turn out alright. I want to have a happy family when I grow up, and I know perfectly well that will take hard work. I’m willing.

52. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
If I needed help, I’d go to Raoul. If Raoul wasn’t there, I would go to my mother. If not her, I’d probably go to Marley, as she is easy to talk to as well.

53. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
I trust my brother Raoul and only him to protect me. So many times in the past he has saved me from deep trouble, and I will never be able to repay him. He has already told me before he would keep me out of trouble. I can trust him because he has proven himself trustworthy. He has proven he is capable of going to extremes for me, thus I would do the same for him if it came down to it.

54. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
I’m not sure who would miss me, but I’m pretty sure that would be Raoul most of all. A few of my siblings might be upset for a bit, but then move on as they wouldn’t have to worry about if I had food or not anymore. It’s all about food in a house as big as mine, so my being gone would mean more food. Rufus actually discussed it with Graham before, but won’t take action.

55. Who is the person you despise the most, and why?
I absolutely hate Chandler. He will never stop bothering me about his injured leg and how I owe him. He has a way with words that get me so angry I could break his arm. We have wrestled before. Sometimes I win and sometimes he wins, but we are hard fighters and I can sometimes send him to bed on the floor. He is tough too, and able to do the same, but for some reason I do the fighting better and he uses words better. Boy do I wish I was better with my words. I want to be able to get him angry without messing up on his homework.

56. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
I try my hardest to avoid conflict as much as possible, unless I’m around Chandler. It’s hard not to yell and hit when he’s around, especially him. I’ve gotten pretty good at avoiding him lately, but he’s still there when my siblings call me to the table to help them with homework.

57. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
No, I’m a true follower. I suck at being the leader in any situation at all.

58. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
The only large group of people I talk to on a regular basis would be my (half!) siblings and Raoul’s friends. I don’t really enjoy his friends though, especially with that Nora name.

59. Do you care what others think of you?
Not very much.



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Part 6: Self Images And Etc.



60. Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
Wake up, go to school, hang out with Raoul and his friends, go home and let mom know we’re alive, to the square to steal food, home. I get excited when it’s disrupted, not always excited in a good way.

61. Are you generally organized or messy?
I’m rather organized, thank you very much. I hardly ever lose anything, and when I do I freak out.

62. Name things you consider yourself to be very good at, and things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
I’m an expert thief, much to the peacekeeper’s dismay. I’m also a good writer and painter. I love doing it, even poetry and song writing is a hobby of mine. I am a pretty good singer and can play the flute. Raoul once said I’d do a better job getting money for food if I played for tips, but I’d be too embarrassed. I’m not a very swimmer, for certain. A matter of fact, I can’t actually swim. I’m not very good at anything my mother does and wants me to do, like sewing and cooking. I nearly burned the house down once, actually. I’m not allowed to cook in my house. I do know my way around herbs, though.

63. Do you like yourself?
I guess I’m alright. I don’t hate life or anything, but I don’t think I’m an entirely awesome person either.

64. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
I want to grow up, get a nice loving husband and have a few children. I don’t expect a perfect life, and my biggest ambition is to make it as a teacher. If I don’t end up a teacher, ,I don’t know what I’ll do. I could play for tips, as Raoul suggested, but I’m just too shy. I’ll only resort to that if I fail at doing what I want to do. Then again, I do really enjoy the flute and singing. Maybe I could even sell a painting to a richer family. Hey now, stop giving me ideas! I want to be a teacher.

65. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I can see myself getting out of school and moving out. I’ll be trying to get my dream job, though I don’t expect I’ll have a boyfriend yet. I can see Rosie and Posie trailing behind me, curious on how I’m getting my food. Raoul will still be my best friend. Henluciay will want me to come with her to kindergarten, but I won’t. I see Chandler harassing me on my way to work if I get the job I want. I see my mother dating someone else, and perhaps I’ll even have a few more half siblings to “love.”

66. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
If I was going to die and I could chose how, I would want it to be quick a painless. I wouldn’t want to be alive any longer than I had to, and I don’t want to be left in pain for a few days or weeks before it actually comes.

67. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name five things you would do in the time you had left.
I admit, if I knew I was going to die in a day I would try to make amends with Chandler. I hate his guts, but I really do want to get on his good side before my time comes. Second, I would give all the food I could find to my family, as they’d need it more than I would. Third, I would play my flute in public. Fourth, I would tell everyone I knew I loved them. The last thing I would do would be to throw a hammer at a peacekeeper. The End! Happy?

68. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
I don’t think I would be remembered for anything. Chandler might just remember me for being nasty to him, though maybe Raoul would remember me as a good person. I’m not sure, and I don’ really want to find out yet. Death scares me just a bit, and what happens after.

69. What three words best describe your personality?
Quiet, clever, queer.

70. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Strange, stealthy, intelligent.

71. What is your faceclaim?
Schuyler Grant