Crwydryn Laurea [D5]

When Peacekeepers find someone outside of the fence, they are usually told to kill the offender right then and there. But what should they do if the offender is a little girl, who looks about four years old, is all muddy, has scrapes all over, and torn clothes? And most importantly, what if she wasn't anyone's from the District? In District 5, they call the Head Peacekeeper. He takes pity on her, and tells them to bring her into the District. This is how Crwydryn became a member of the District. That's what they called her. Even with the million questions she was asked, million ways she was bribed and threatened, she never spoke. Her only responses were nods and shakes of her heads. So the people simply thought she was mute. She might have been, except she spoke one word. Cat. To understand what brought on this sudden speech, to an apparently mute girl, we have to go back.

When Crwydryn was brought into the District Square, she caused quite a commotion. No one had really seen anyone come into the District other than Peacekeepers, victors and those from the Capital. People had come out to see the girl, who's black hair was ragged and fell to her shoulders and her bright green eyes were wide. She looked around at the people, some had gentle faces, others looks of disgust. Another mouth to feed. They weren't poor, but no one had real luxuries. Except victors. There was one victor at the time, but he was an old bachelor, with no relatives. When he died, his wealth would go back to the Capital. His name was Kinkajou Laurea.

When he came to see what the crowd was looking at outside his house, he immediately felt compelled to protect her. And so, he walked up to the Peacekeepers and demanded they let him take care of her. The men promptly pushed the girl to him. They were too glad to have her off their hands. At first the girl was scared to approach the older man, but he offered her a piece of chocolate from his pocket, and though it was a bit soft, she nearly pounced upon it. She probably hadn't had food for days, she was so thin. He brought her inside his house, helped her into a bath and went to get clothes for her. Soon she was clean and refreshed. Kinkajou gave her a bowl of soup and piece of bread, careful not to give her too much, for fear that the rich food would make her sick. Slowly, he gained her trust.

Years went by and he became wrapped around her finger. Just because she didn't speak, didn't mean she couldn't communicate. She would point out the things she wanted and her adopted father would get it for her instantly. As the girl grew, she developed into a beautiful girl. She had a willow figure and her green eyes played well against her waist length black hair. She was always lighter and taller than all of the other girls around her. She love solitude, though, and had few friends. Kinkajou was worried a bit by this, but Crwydryn seemed content.

One day, when the two were walking through the District, they passed a woman who raised Ocelots as pets for the Capital. Dryn pulled on Jou's sleeve and pointed to the animals. The old man thought she wanted on as a pet, and told her he would get her a dog instead. Dryn shook her head and walked towards the woman, pointed to her then herself. Jou then understood she want to be a Ocelot trainer. He protested, but Dryn stood her ground, and finally, he relented. The woman, Luna, agreed to take her as an apprentice. As they were walking back to their house, Dryn looked up at her father and felt she should thank him. And so, she said a single word, just to let him know she was not mute.

"Cat"

Jou was shocked, and then tried to coax more words out of the young girl. She refused, however and Jou realized that she wanted to keep the fact that she spoke to herself. He never asked her to talk again. And so, she connected with the cats. She smiled and laughed with them, she ran with them, she fed them and played with the kits. Working with the animals strengthened her body, and soon she was strong and fast.

When Dryn turned 10, she discovered the Hunger Games. Jou had tried to keep it from her until she absolutely needed to know, but he couldn't protect her forever. As soon as she understood what it was, she took one of the decorative swords off the wall and began to try and use it on a tree. When Jou asked her what she was doing, she mimed her named being pulled out during the Reaping. She was trying to be prepared if she was chosen. Jou became serious and nodded. Every night she showed her different techniques and taught her things like fire making, and how to treat cuts with different plants. Dryn hated the thought of maybe having to kill someone in the future, but she took on the task with grim necessity. She had to be like a cat, quiet and deadly.

Soon, Dryn was so efficient with the sword against the tree and against Jou, that he had no more to teach her. Slowly, with nothing more pass on, he became tired and sick. His illness got so draining, he had to stay in bed all day. Dryn became very worried and took care of him, refusing to go to school, or work, so she didn't have to leave his side. Jou got worse, and Dryn had to go out and fetch more medicine. When she got back, Jou wasn't moving. She shook him roughly, silently pleading him to wake. Finally, she had to accept he would not. She went out and brought Luna, her Wolf training master, who went to find the Peacekeepers who took him away. The next day was the funeral. It was then they told Dryn she needed to find a new home. But, when they were cleaning out the house, they found Jou's last will and testimony. It was from when he first adopted Dryn, but it was still legal. He had named her heir to all his possessions. The Peacekeepers didn't want to give up the property, but the will was read publically, so they had no choice, but agree to it. And thus, Crwydryn Laurea became the richest 11 year old girl in all of District 5.

Codeword: <img src="http://i41.tinypic.com/16h2ibt.png">