Marigold Redwood- District 12 (Done)

Marigold with her dark brown hair and olive complexion blends in with those living in District 12. Although her eyes are a bit "squinty" as her brother puts it, they are always filled with warmth as Marigold seems to radiate with happiness. Although her smile disappears on the days of the reaping, Marigold's smile is otherwise always lighting up her face. Marigold's dark brown hair is almost always kept in it's signature braids.

Standing at a height of 5'3, Marigold isn't the tallest girl, nor is she as curvy or healthy as those girls living in higher districts or the Capitol. Living with her mother who works as a seamstress, and her father, the district butcher, Marigold has had just enough meals to keep her alive and fit as possible, but certainly no extra.

On good days, Marigold can be seen playing with her brother or happily delivering clothes to and from her mother's workplace. On bad days, however, Marigold's smile dims a bit and she secludes her self in her house or in a hidden area near the fence. On such bad days, Marigold's back cripples her and makes ever step and even every movement, incredibly painful. Thankfully, Marigold is able to walk and has more good days than bad days, but on the rare occasion, her back will sear with so much pain she is unable to move her legs, let alone sit up or truly move.

Marigold is a happy girl whose smile can make anyone feel the urge to smile as well. She tries to keep a positive attitude and be there for her brother when her parents are out late working. Marigold has people from school she could possibly call acquaintances , but she has never let anyone too close for fear they will learn about her disability.

Marigold's kind and loving nature is easily seen. Since both her parents work long hours to keep enough food on the table for the family of four, Marigold finds herself trying to fill the gap in her younger brother, Wess, that she also felt as a child. Marigold loves her parents, but at times she wishes they would pay more attention to their children rather than seeing only their accomplishments and failures, not the children themselves.

Although Marigold prefers to be the one to break up a fight, she has hidden temper. When provoked, Marigold can let her temper get the best of her and she is not afraid to speak her mind and put actions behind her words. Marigold is especially protective of her brother and would do anything to ensure is safety. This temper, however, can get the best of Marigold as she may end up blurting something she will regret.

Although Marigold has never been outside the district fence and is incompatible with any weapon or sharp object, she is clever and observant. Marigold is almost always at the top of her class and she can name nearly any animal or plant even though she probably has never seen them in real life. Marigold knows more about people than they may know about themselves and she is constantly aware of what is going on around her.

Marigold has grown up in a small family. Both her parents and her little brother are alive although both sets of grandparents have died. Marigold's parents work hard to keep food on the table, however Marigold wonders if it is not also to keep them away form their children. When she was younger, Marigold always knew she was loved and had a good life with parents who treated her well. She did, however, feel empty as they never took the time to simply talk to her or even hug her. Marigold always felt the need to work harder and harder in her studies so that she could make them proud of her. Of course, they still only see her for what she has accomplished and what she has not. Marigold has over time grown used to that and does not expect them to be home at a normal hour except on the day of the reaping.

When Marigold was eleven, she went out exploring near the fence surrounding District 12. As she came close to a small cliff, Marigold did not see the snake slithering past. When she finally did notice it, Marigold screamed and fell backwards, hitting several rocks and falling over the small cliff. Crawling home, Marigold realized something was terribly wrong with her back and she could not move her legs. For several months, the doctor was not sure if Marigold would ever be able to walk again. Marigold exercised everyday, however, and after many months of painful therapy, was able to walk again.

Now Marigold has more good days than bad days and normally her back feels fine other than a bit of stiffness. On bad days however, Marigold's back sends spasms of sharp pain through her body making it hard for her to function properly without irritating it. Although she has worked hard and is able to move normally most of the time, Marigold still feels the disappointment in her parents gazes when they notice her hiss in pain or stumble from her back. This colder side of her parents is something she hopes to shield Wess from.