Castor Maran - District 4

Castor stands at a wiry 5'5"- her frame is one of a girl with disproportionate upper body strength, cultivated by years of reeling, spearing, and otherwise standing still. Castor's seaside upbringing is most obvious in her face. Her chest-length blonde hair is tinted a slight green from the chemicals used to cure the district four fish, and her hairline boasts an obvious stretch of angry, peeling, dry skin.

Otherwise, Castor's features are unremarkable. Her mouth is slightly large, and her jaw is sharp. At 118 pounds, she is slightly underweight, but under the loads of gear and clothing, the deficit is almost unnoticeable. Castor's pale, sand-hued skin blends well with the rocks of the coastline, and her blue-green eyes reflect the sea like those of so many others in her district.

When no one is watching, Castor is focused, meticulous, and alert. She enjoys nothing more than a good challenge (which often comes in the form of a fishing quota, or a boat repair), and her focus can become so intense that meals, sleep, and family become mere afterthoughts.

But, in the spotlight, Castor's insecurities emerge. As a natural introvert, she prefers the company of the sea and the wind to actual people, and will go to great lengths to avoid social responsibility. When forced into a social gathering, it is not unusual for Castor to sneak away into dark spaces - passing the time in back alleys or kitchens where she will not be found. Although she may work well with others on a fishing boat, group activities have never been a part of Castor's mainland life.

Social interaction is probably difficult for Castor because of her seeming inability to lie. There is no such thing as false flattery or pretend interest for this girl. She can issue commands or give honest opinions, but she will always choose silence over falsehood, and that has never sat well with her peers in district four. Castor has only two close friends in her district, and she has little hope of making more.

Castor is the only child of Lark and Eden Maran. As a child, she spent her days swimming and collecting shellfish with her mother while her father led a fishing fleet for the Capitol. His business brought in enough money for food, clothing, and her childhood painting classes, but was unfortunately short-lived.

On Castor's ninth birthday, her father's fishing ship capsized, trapping him underwater for long enough to leave his mind oxygen-deprived and muddled. Although his title was never revoked, that accident left Lark Maran permanently land-bound. Unable to work, Lark turned his attention towards his daughter - teaching her weave nets, lure fish, and escape danger. On many occasions, he recreated his own hardships - holding his daughter's head underwater or leaving her adrift in the sea to teach her the merits of self-reliance.

Over time, those lessons changed Castor. Although she remained solitary and work-focused, Castor also became contemplative. She began to wonder why her father and the universe were pushing her, and she became convinced that she was being prepared for some greater purpose. At one point in history, this would have been called religion. At the present time, it means that Castor has given control over to her instincts - trusting that, eventually, the reason for her hardships will become clear. Until then, she prays.