The Reapings (34th)

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The District 4 escort steps up on stage and smiles with blindingly white teeth. She starts speaking in a high pitched voice, "Welcome everyone to the Reapings! Today one young man and woman will be chosen to participate in the 33rd Annual Hunger Games!" She steps up to the big bowls containing the names of every child in the district, from 12 to 18. Her hands hover above the bowls for a second, as if deciding something. "Now then, Ladies first!" she says, and reaches into the bowl filled with girls names...

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Mon Sep 02, 2013 2:31 pm

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---District 4---Female---16---

Faye stepped into the town square, just like every year at this time. Right in front of the justice building was where she was being corralled to and it was here that she would wait to hear the names. Every year it was the same and every year 1 male and 1 female was chosen and most years they never came home. Faye had been chosen once, but she was spared. Though she knew if it happened again she might not get that luxury unless a career decided they wanted to volunteer. Luckily she was from a career district, well...sort of.

After checking in and forcing her way through the crowd Faye was pushed into a row with other 16 year old girls like herself. There were a lot surrounding her and she knew somewhere behind her was her sister River and somewhere in front of her was her friend Amaya. All were eligible and all could be chosen. The only thing to do now was wait, she could try to search for someone to share a comforting glance with but she knew that amidst all the heads it would be hard to find anyone. Faye just breathed in and held her breath as the escort spoke.

"Now then, Ladies first!"

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Mon Sep 02, 2013 2:47 pm

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Amaya trudged up to the building, hands in her pockets as she went in for her last year. She looked back to Kaira and gave her a wave, "See ya later." If things could continue the way they were. But did she really want it to? It's been torturing and Amaya cracked a dark joke in her mind about throwing herself into the Games. Well.. She might already have, things weren't great and Amaya resorted to Tesserae to feed themselves and hopefully, it'll be worth it. she got in line, refusing to look up, or around, to relive the moment once again. She broke down every year, and this was not going to do so this year. Amaya forced her gaze upwards to the stage, fear instantly crept into her, making her turn backwards, craning her neck to the 16 year olds. Her eyes fell upon a good friend and it comforted her nerves as Amaya sent out a big grin to Faye before turning back to staring at the ground, fingers playing with the vial around her neck that held a part of the ocean within it. Blocking off the shrill voices, she refused to listen.

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Mon Sep 02, 2013 4:28 pm

deluna blu parkingson

Deluna despised the reapings, and always wished it was something that could be avoidable, or optional. Maybe the worst part to her was dressing up, like the people of district four had to be paraded around in their best attire, just to see what the Capitol thought of them. Her best outfit wasn't much, a thin fabric of blue with birds and hearts printed in white all over the dress. Personally, she thought she looked like a feed sack, but kept that to herself.

Several others were gathered around the building, ready to hear what their fate was, safe, or in danger. Deluna walked over to the seventeen year olds, her head down, and trying to stay out of the way. The loud ringing of the escort's voice rang in her head for a moment, as her heart beat loudly in her chest. Please don't be me... she thought.
reaping outfit

layout and graphics (c) sapphire

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Mon Sep 02, 2013 4:32 pm

She dug her hand into the bowl and pulled out the female tribute's name, "Amaya Walker" She called out and then she dug into the male's bowl. "Levi Hollis"

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:37 am

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She didn't want to hear it, not another word from the Capitol's mouth. If only she could really switch off her ears. But she saw it coming. Of course it was her, and it wasn't every year that some noble kind will volunteer. Amaya bit her lip, and let out a smile. She won't cry, she couldn't cry, she mustn't cry. She's been up there a few times, how much harder could it be? Other than the fact that no one will shout the words 'I volunteer'. She made the walk up and it felt so lonely, she didn't have anyone to be with, not even Kaira anymore. Amaya managed to hold on to the facade of smiles all the way up to the stage. Not once looking away from the ground, as if it was the most interesting thing ever. She couldn't bare look at Kaira, rather having the last memory of her little sister be of her grinning ever so widely. But all the thoughts she had were really selfish, weren't they? She was never this selfish before, to only think about herself, but I guess when your life is on the line, you'd grab on to anything that ensures your own safety first. It scared her of how she'll get out of this. How did Skye handle this fact of going on alone? How did he managed to stay level headed and still think for the group? Why was he loyal to his allies? However, he died. And it was because he did something wrong. At that point in time when she stood beside the male tribute, Levi if her ears were still working - that she thought she was really going to die. And maybe it wasn't all that bad.

She ended up in a room in the Justice Building, it's been so long since she was up here, though now for a different reason, but it still made her feel uneasy. Amaya decided to push herself into a corner of the room, back pressing against the obtuse walls as she wrapped her arms around her knees. This was ridiculous, what was she doing? Moping around, growing mushrooms in the dark corner, it was a joke. But she couldn't help it. Amaya spoke to her dad, while no one was still around. She told him about the time Faye and her stole a boat to go ride it out, about the time Kaira had nightmares and she still likes picking up starfishes by the dock, about how she's learning to fish properly as much as she didn't like it, about mum, about everything she could think of. She'd rather talk to him here, while they're still at home, than later in a foreign jail cell. It made her remember how much she missed having a dad, and it made... That's it, Amaya thought, I'm losing it already, and the Games haven't even started yet.

Get your shit together Amaya. You can mope when you're dead.

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:57 am

It was Amaya's last year, and things were lively. Sure, the year hadn't went as well. Amaya had taken tessarae for the three of them, and the bakery was less lively. Yet, she grinned back at Amaya brightly.
“Sure!” she chirped, and headed towards the place reserves for 14 year olds.
The rest was just a blur. Treaty of treason, reading of current victors-nothing had changedand she stood on the ground as the sun beat down on her.
And now, the reapings. She closed her eyes, and waited for the name.
Amaya Walker.

It took a second for the name to sink in. Then her eyes dilated in fear.
“Amaya,” she whispered. “Amaya. Amaya!” her voice turned into a screech. She tried to run towards her sister, but unknown hands pulled her back. Planted her back to her spot.
Murmured not-so reassuring comments. A wail came out of her mouth as Kaira wiped away her tears and found herself looking desperately for someone who had been ripped away from her two years ago.

Accompanied by her mother, Kaira burst into the room they were directed to, face ruined from tears. Immediately she ram towards Amaya and helplessly tried to say anything to her sister. But words were beyond her. Exactly two years ago, the same thing had happened.

She couldn't bear to expirience it again.

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Tue Sep 03, 2013 7:24 am

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Amaya quick stood up as she heard the door click open, muffles wails from outside, knowing very well that she couldn't show her family that side of her. She shut her eyes as her sister tackled her, returning the comforting embrace. "Hey.. it's okay, smile fore me, yeah?" Amaya grinned, patting her head as Kaira blurted words of murky belief. "I'll be back before you know it. And you know that Skye was always the better liar," she laughed as she pulled away, finally looking into Kaira's eyes. Her sister will have to trust her, and she'll have to trust in herself. "Stay brave alright?" Were her last words to her sister before she turned to their mother, looking old and worn out. Amaya kissed her on the cheek and whispered something that stung her own heart, "I'll come home and say those words you've always wanted to hear from Skye." Amaya had to take a minute before she waved energetically, a hearty goodbye as they were brought away, echoing her brother's last words in the District, "I'm coming back home, I swear I will." Amaya walked back to the corner and resumed her previous position though, face faltering once again as she knocked the back of her head against the wall.

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:01 pm

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---District 4---Female---16---

Amaya Walker. The name called stung her ears made her wince a little as she heard it leave the escort's mouth. This couldn't be possible, right? There had to be another Amaya Walker somewhere in District 4. There just had to be...that was what made the most sense, right? Someone who had stolen her good friend's name must have been chosen and they were going up now, in the same outfit her friend was now wearing. These were the things her rattled mind tried to tell her to help alleviate the shock of hearing Amaya's name chosen. They always say the first part of grief is denial. "Wait the first part of grief? She is still alive, walking up the stage!" Her mind frightened her as she thought these things. She had to believe Amaya was coming home, she knew she had to.

"Amaya..." Her words were quiet at first, only audible to herself and the few around her. She started to push towards the aisle, pushing against the few girls who tried their best to stop her forward movement. They had failed though as Faye managed to make it out of the crowd and stood alone at the center. "Amaya! No! I...." But the words never came out. She was stopped mid thought as the look on her friend's face hit her. The look that said she knew that it was her time to go. Plus the selfish need for self preservation seemed to have gotten the best of Faye as she couldn't even bring herself to try and volunteer for her friend. The shrieks started from the back and broke her from her thoughts. They came from the section where she knew Kaira and River were placed near each other but the small girl never got closer. Faye wondered if River held her back, or if the girls in that section had the same idea as the girls near her. Either way, Faye turned and ran to the small girl. She tried to give her a comforting word but she knew that no matter what she said there was nothing that would be good enough, this was a pain that couldn't be soothed with a few words.

The rest of the reapings went on without any more interruptions as the boy was chosen, but Faye hardly paid attention to that after what had happened with Amaya, and Kaira and herself. The two tributes were now pushed into the justice building and Faye ran straight inside to visit her friend. To try and give her good luck words or tell her she was sorry for being selfish back in that town square, or maybe thank her for all the times they had gone out and been rebellious together. But certainly not to say goodbye, because saying goodbye was like saying there was no chance for you in the arena. Amaya's family had arrived first and Faye waited as they had their moment together. After the allotted maximum time had run out the family was scooted from the room and the door shut forcefully behind them. It wasn't until the Walker family had left the vicinity that the peacekeeper looked to her and told her it was her time to go in.

Faye rushed in the room, she knew she didn't have a lot of time and she didn't want to waste a minute just making her entrance through the door. Amaya had been sitting in the corner when Faye entered and she couldn't blame her. Actually Faye would have probably been trying to find a way out of this room if she was the one chosen. "I'm....sorry." Those two words seemed to be the only ones she could force out at the moment. Faye reached up to the braided hairdo that her mother made her wear for the reapings and felt the hair pin her father made for her out of the pearls and shells he had found on his many diving and fishing trips. She undid it and as she did parts of her braided, dark brown hair fell out of place but she didn't care, there was no Capitol left to impress in here. She held it out towards her friend. "I'm sure you have a token already...but please. Wear this for me. So that I'm always there with you, causing trouble for those other tributes." Faye looked to the ground for a moment then back up again at Amaya. "You can give it back to me when you come home, ok?" Faye smiled widely as she tended to do with Amaya, even though she didn't really want to right there in that moment. But she tried to be strong, strong for Amaya and strong for herself. Because she knew if she didn't hold up that smile the dam would break and only tears would start to flow.

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Tue Sep 03, 2013 4:00 pm

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With her family gone, Amaya didn't move, not even when she heard the door open. Because there was only one person Amaya knew would come up here, and she was fine with her seeing Amaya like this. Faye presence alone made Amaya drop any ounce of structured strength and she dare not look at Faye. It was only when she spoke, did Amaya lift her head to reveal her nose turning red and her eyes tearing up. She was absolutely terrified of death. But it was only in front of Faye when Amaya dare put down the mask and show the vulnerability. Yet among the tears, she could only grin, "Apologies are useless when there isn't a need for one, dummy." She promptly sees Faye pull out her hair pin to give it to her; it was so beautiful made with the treasures of the sea, something to remind her of a reason to make it back home. She accepted it with both her hands, holding it like it was one of the most precious things she'd seen all month, replying, "I'll be thinking of you every second when I make life difficult for somebody."

She then examined the hairpiece, amazed with every single detail in it, before pausing and raising an eyebrow, "Are you trying to girlify me or something? 'Cause it's not gonna work." She laughed as she put on the pin to one side, crooked and off, but it was there. Her fingers twiddled with the vial that held a layer of sand and a layer of the sea, feeling accomplished with what she got to bring with her, "now I got memories of home," she then fiddled with the pin on her head, "and its treasures." Amaya pushed herself off the floor to give her friend a good ol' hug, voice shaking as she lowered it, "Thank you.. And aye aye, Mam, you can bet on it that this returns safely to its rightful owner." She moved back, staring at Faye face, almost chocking on a giggle as she wiped her face and sniffled, "y'know, it's okay to cry sometimes, I realised. Gets out all the bad mojo-jojo going on inside." Guess crying and laughing at the same time was a thing for Amaya now adays. But it did felt relieving, like all the pain gets to run out and you're a whole new person again after that, stronger and maybe even happier sometimes. She didn't want their time to end, the last of any familiar faces of District 4 and she'll hafta kill to see them again.

Subject: Re: The Reapings (34th) Wed Sep 04, 2013 1:19 pm

Faye felt the pin's weight leave her palm and watched as Amaya secured it to her long brown hair. It looked beautiful and seeing the treasure her father gave her all those years ago on someone else really gavr hrr more reason to marvel at it. The details in the wiring and the milky white pearls shone against the surface of the iridescent shells. Truly it was all the beauty of District 4 put into one hair pin, well all but the ocean that is.

"I would never dream of such a thing." Faye laughed as she responded to Amaya's first statement. If anything it was Faye's mother trying to make her morw girly trying to do her hair fancy with pins and bows in it. The elaborate braid Faye wore in her hair now was not like anything she would normally consider leavimg the house with. She normally stuck her hair in a bun or low hanging, loose braid to get it out of her face. This hairstyle was something only her mother could have concieved to try and make her daughter look better or something, that or to torture her.

"My father made that for me when I was younger, my mother has me wear it to every reaping. But I know it will be in good hands with you." Faye weakly smiled, she was trying her best to treasure these moments with Amaya as they could very well be her last. She didn't want to think like that, but she also need to make sure she left with no regrets and wishing she had said things that she had somehow forgotten to. Their time was running short and Faye knew it and the strong face that she tried to keep on her face crumbled as Amaya told her it was alright to cry.

And for the first time in a very long time Faye cried, she let the teara stream down her freckled cheeks as she hugged Amaya. The door opened, and the sounds of footsteps could be heard coming from behind her but she didn't budge, not even with the hand now grabbing onto ger shoulder.

"Thank you, for being my friend. And you will come back, I know you will. You're stronger then anyone I have ever met Amaya Walker. Now go out there and give them hell." Faye's words were rushed as she choked them out. She dared not let go of Amaya until everything she said was out in the open and said. Her tears still poured down her face, but a smile was now planted on her face as she was lead out of the room. And she held on to that smile, because she knew that every word she said was true.

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