Weaver Forsythe / Eight

Weaver is always just a little bit grubby. He's one of those kids who has constant smudges of dirt on his face and his hair is always a mess. It doesn't matter how often his father bathes him (which is less often than necessary, by far), Weaver always has a filthy look about him. There's always filth under his nails and his clothes are stained from outdoor activities, most of which involve the constant hunt for food. Oil stains are also common from physical contact with his father, who often has oil from loom parts on his hands when he hugs his sons.

Although most people his age are very slender, especially in the lower and lower middle districts, Weaver is better fed than most. This is primarily due to the fact that his father often goes without in order to ensure that he has something to eat. While certainly not thick-set, Weaver has more weight on him than most of the working class of district eight. His legs and arms are a bit spindly as is typical of children his age, but he does fairly well and is relatively athletic for his age and district. He enjoys wrestling, and it shows in the slight muscle ton of his shoulders and chest.

Note: by no means is Weaver built. He's still a small kid, but relatively large for his age compared to most other working class children in the lower middle districts. He isn't especially strong, but he does enjoy physical activity and the food that his father keeps making sure he has in his stomach.

Weaver is mostly outgoing, enjoying the company of other people going out of his way to spend time around others. He's incredibly accepting and has picked up his father's habit of philanthropy. He might be heavier if he didn't have a habit of giving away "extra" food to schoolmates who were hungrier than he is. In general, Weaver is very happy, even spirited, and he makes an effort to be friends with people. In short, he's the opposite of his father, who is quiet, often giving the appearance of grouchiness. Weaver is mostly difficult to dislike, and he bubbles over with enthusiasm for everything, even on an empty stomach.

Wrestling, and other play combat, is high up on Weaver's list of interests. Unfortunately this is dangerous because real fighting is verboten within the districts. Tributes cannot be trained. At the back of Weaver's mind, he's always thinking about what it would be like to go into the arena, and how he would survive if his name was to be pulled at the Reaping. He doesn't want to be reaped, but he's not willing to be reaped and then die in the Arena at the hands of better trained and prepared tributes. If he had a motto, it might be "Preparation is key."

Although he's only twelve years old, Weaver feels that preparation is key to everything, and he is a quick thinker, ahead for his age. For pleasure, he studies up on the history of the Capitol, something that his father has encouraged in him since he's shown an interest. Because Cam feels that knowing your enemy is one way to defeat him, Weaver has done his best to learn to know his enemy as well, and the enemy is the Capitol. As happy as Weaver can be, and as nary-a-care as he may act, there are many times that he wishes for the mother he never met, and this fuels his own anger toward the Capitol, since he doesn't quite know the whole story of how she died.

(Some of Weaver's history is included in his father's history.)

Weaver's mother died shortly before he was born. Thanks to the cleverness of his father and the local healers, he was saved before too much time had passed, though Weaver always wonders whether or not his mother was still alive when they cut him from her womb, and if she was, how much it hurt. The thought mystifies him rather than horrifying him, and he thinks of it often, a dazed expression coming across his face when he's thinking about her and how she died. For Weaver, this moment is the defining moment of his life, because in many ways it is the defining moment of his father's life as well. It's the moment that set Weaver on the course he's on right now.

Year after year, Weaver has watched the Reaping in District 8, quivering and waiting for his brother's name to be called. Of course, Cotton has never gone through to the Games, not that he would have wanted to go. Although both boys are close to their father, Weaver and Cotton have always had a sort of adversity with one another, and Weaver is certain that his brother hates him for having taken their mother out of the world. Whether or not his brother actually thinks that is a total mystery to Weaver, but it doesn't stop him from feeling as though they could be closer to one another. Weaver keeps trying, but Cotton keeps pushing him back and away, becoming more and more distant from his family.

This year is something different for Weaver. It is the first year that he will be eligible for Reaping. Although his father has insisted that he not be allowed to take out any Tessarae, there is an undercurrent of fear in the family's household. Even with just one slip in the ball, there is a chance (however slim) that Weaver will be chosen to go to the Hunger Games. He's stronger than most kids his age in the district, but he knows that he's not ready to go, and that he likely wouldn't survive. Throughout the year leading up to the reaping, he's barely controlled his fear, but as it gets closer, Weaver feels as though he's about to burst.

Son of Cambric Forsythe. Brother Cotton is coming.

Play by is Brad Renfro.