58th Reaping D8

[Lulu]

The mayor of District Eight stepped out onto the stage, a smile plastered across his face as he stared into the cameras that surrounded it. It was time once again to choose two children to compete in the Hunger Games, and it was his job to do so.

"It is time," he said as he stood over the impatient people of his District, "To once again send two of our own children to the Capitol to compete in the Hunger Games. Let us begin the Reaping!"

He did not look to see the reaction of his district before reaching into the glass ball that held the names of the female children. "Ladies first," he announced, pulling out a slip of paper. He unfolded it and read out to the crowd, "Charlotte McAfee!"

[/color] He then reached into the other ball. "Sebastian Miller!"

OOC- RPing is allowed. If you wish to volunteer, let the tribute post first either accepting or stepping down from their place for volunteers, and then post. If the tribute doesn't reply by Wednesday, July 6th, a staff member will post saying that volunteering is open. Please do not post until you see this staff message. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

Also, and this is really important: If you have been selected as a tribute and plan on going into the arena, we HIGHLY SUGGEST you take some RP Tutoring lessons ASAP. It doesn't matter what level RPer you are; everyone can use a little help. RPing a tribute is a PRIVILEGE; if you're not going to put the time and effort into making your posts the best they can be then you can count yourself among the dead...-evil laugh- It's not a requirement, but please please please just consider the lessons. They'll help even the most advanced RPer. [/blockquote][/size][/justify]

[Dancin]

Heat was always something Sebastian had been uncomfortable with. He hated sweating involuntarily, and there was nothing he hated more than sunburns. His skin was slightly tanned, but apparently not enough to keep his skin from turning red and blistering if he decided to leave the hellhole that was his shared bedroom. Today, one of the few days where Sebastian was actually going to have to be outside, it was stiflingly hot and humid. His only nice shirt was sticking to his spine and arms, and though he had bathed this morning, his skin felt slimy. Trying to swallow the saliva pouring into his mouth, Sebastian rubbed his palms on his pants and headed downstairs.

When Sebastian left the orphanage, he joined the pace of all the other District 8 residents heading down to the Town Square. As Sebastian looked at all of the faces of the kids passing him, he couldn't help but wonder who among them he would have to watch die this year. He thought of Thalia and gave a fleeting prayer to someone that she wouldn't be reaped. Sebastian touched his pant pocket, relieved by the crinkling of paper that met his ears. After he had met Thalia, Sebastian had stolen a piece of paper from the orphanage front desk, and a piece of charcoal from the fireplace. It had been late, and his only light had been the moon but Sebastian had quickly scribbled a memory drawing of Thalia so as never to forget her face. Now he wished he had more.

When he reached the square Sebastian moved towards the seventeen boys section, but it was slow going. Some girl was trying to drag her older brother away from the lines. That familiar stab of loss that Sebastian felt whenever he saw family devotion toyed with him again and he pushed past the girl beside him slightly more rough than was necessary. Finding his spot in line, Sebastian searched around for Thalia, his eyes scrutinizing the face of every girl he came across to no avail. The reaping was about to start. He wondered if she was ill. The mayor was clambering onto the stage and the boy behind Sebastian poked him in the ribs.

"Turn around" He hissed angrily at Sebastian. Sebastian glared at him for an instant before turning towards the stage. The mayors speech was long and boring, like it always was, and combined with the heat, Sebastian felt like he might fall asleep right there where he was standing. He kept an eye out for Thalia, but not knowing her exact age made it hard to know where to look. The sun was just being rude now, beating down on Sebastian's scalp and neck. He wondered if the freckles that had been prominent on his nose as a child would be visible again tomorrow.

"It is time," The mayor cried into the crackling microphone, threatening to deafen everyone with feedback each second. "To once again send two of our own children to the Capitol to compete in the Hunger Games. Let us begin the Reaping!" with practiced movements, the mayor crossed the stage to the girls ball and caught a gently fluttering name.

"Ladies first..." Sebastian mumbled to himself, and the boy behind him shushed. Sebastian only had a few moments to think over and over in his head. Not Thalia, Not Thalia, Not Thalia. Until the mayor looked at the name and called into the microphone;

"Charlotte McAfee!" Sebastian let out a light breath and he glanced down at his shoes. Despicable, to be glad that this poor girl was going to die instead. In a desperate attempt to cool himself down, Sebastian shook himself lightly and ran a hand through his now greasy hair. The next words out of the mayors mouth made his hand fall slack to his side.

"Sebastian Miller." Sebastian Miller. The male tribute for the 58th Hunger Games was Sebastian Miller. That was Sebastian. He had just been reaped.

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Sebastian Miller has accepted

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[Nervoux]

It was peculiar how one dramatic experience could bring a group of people together so much. It could bring a group that loathed each other so much, or two people that were complete opposites, together in so many unexpected ways. It would change the way you saw people, causing you to see the world in many different perspectives on life. And that was exactly what was happening to Thalia's family. The Reaping that was being held that morning was pulling the family together in many ways. No longer was there the frequent yelling and laughter, nor the scolding that was ordinarily heard coming from their mother.

Today, the children sat quietly as they cleaned themselves up. The only sound that was heard in the old house was the creaking floorboard and the muffled sniffs that sounded from their mother, Lila's room. Each reaping she was heard crying, the sound filled with grief and sadness, each cry setting the mood for the whole family. Some of the younger children were unnerved by it, their hands clasping together nervously. Each of the six children cast glances at each other, their worry and sadness reflecting into one another's eyes.

Thalia walked among the younger children, calmly fixing their dresses and nice clothes. She gently and elegantly braided the girl's hair, her long fingers working quickly in the knotted hair. She forced her gaze to remain steady and strong for the others, not allowing any sadness to seep into them, for she knew she was the oldest one of the seven children. They all looked up to her for guidance, even if she wasn't related to them by blood. Little did they know that each night she allowed herself to collapse within herself, her cries muffled by the torn pillow beneath her.

It wasn't until Lila walked out that they all moved from their stiff positions. One by one, they filed out of the door, their footsteps sounding loudly on the broken floorboards. Thalia let her fingertips graze gently against the wooden walls, trying her best to touch all she could before the reaping. There was always a fear that her name would be called, and she would be swept away without being allowed to enter her childhood home again. She did her best to let her gaze wander over every little detail as if to bring all of it with her to wherever she would be carried off to.

Thalia slowly drifted out of her worries as a bony hand fell on her shoulder, the hand squeezing gently to comfort her anxious thoughts. "Everything'll be alright" Lila said softly, her words drifting up into the silence, her gentle tone casting warmth through her cold form. Thalia couldn't help but smile at the words, though she knew they were filled with doubt, and the sadness that was etched clearly across her face was easily noticed.

She stepped out of the door, her eyes squinting as the blinding light glinted brightly into them. The heat immediatly beat down on her, though it was welcoming to the young teenager. There was a familiar sense to it as she walked down the empty streets, not allowing herself to look into the grave faces of people in the windows. The sun's intense rays brought hope to the horrible situation, the warmth that seped through her not allowing her to worry about anything. She almost imagined her mother speaking into her ear, her whisper spreading life into her tortured form.

Thalia glanced around, holding onto the hands of her siblings as they entered the crowded section of the district. All that was heard was the urgent whispers; all that was seen was the grim and hollow faces. She grasped her hands tightly around her siblings, leading them quickly to their sections. Her gaze traveled down to their tiny faces, seeing the tears swelling up in the corners of their eyes, the way their lips trembled as they attempted to speak. It was that sight that sent her bending down, gathering them up in a tight hold, as if she could protect them from everything that would happen. "I love you, everything will be alright," she whispered, knowing the moment the words left her moutht hat they were lies.

Finally, she forced herself to leave the holds of her siblings, her hand slowly falling from the grasp of her little brother. He attempted to lunge for her, though someone had already stepped in and blocked his way. A sob escaped her throat as she stared at where he previously was, part of her wondering if it would be the last time she saw him. Her throat seemed to tighten as she turned from the spot, her chest feeling as if with each breath, it was on the verge of exploding. Worry and desperation filled her gaze as her footsteps led her to her spot, her mind finally beginning to pay attention to what was happening.

Thalia's eyes scanned the crowd, not even knowing who she was searching for until memories flashed before her mind. Sebastian. The more she scanned the crowd of people, the more it seemed that it would be impossible to find him. Still, she couldn't help the worry that spread through her and wrapped around her thoughts like a tentacle, squeezing her mind until every emotion seemed to spill out of it at once. If he was reaped, she would lose the one person who truly understood her, the one person who experienced himself what she went through. The one she actually had feelings for.

It wasn't until the mayor began to speak, that she allowed her attention to be directed toward the stage. The words he spoke didn't matter to her, for all she wanted to hear was that her family and friends would be safe. "Ladies first!" the mayor spoke, his voice sending annoyance flooding through every pore of her body. "Charlotte McAfee!" Thalia didn't allow herself to breathe a sigh of relief, though there were many sounds of it surrounding her. She had to put others before herself, for even then there was a feeling of grief for the girl that had been called.

Thalia focused on the next words, the sound of them familiar to her ears, the name the reason why she her heart seemed to skip a beat. "Sebastian Miller!" Suddenly every other person seemed to disappear, leaving only her as she watched Sebastian leave the enclosure of his age group. There was a pounding in her ears, the sound of her heartbeat being the only sound that she was focusing on.

"No. No. No There has to be a mistake" she murmured continuously, not even noticing as she ducked under her enclosure, her footsteps leading her to Sebastian. "You can't go. Sebastian, y-you can't leave me" her words were beginning to make no sense as she reached him, ignoring the peacekeepers as they rushed to pull her away. Her hands found his arm for a few seconds, her eyes finding his as they pleaded for him to stay, though she knew fully well she had no control over it. Tears glistened on her scarred cheeks, her lips trembling like her younger siblings as they watched her go. There was a feeling of loss inside her, the feeling she received the moment her mother was murdered. It was an overwhelming feeling, one that almost always sent her on the verge on insanity. A feeling of losing a loved one, one whom you truly cared about.

"Be safe" she whispered.

[Dancin]

For a moment Sebastian just stood there, waiting for the information to process. His brain was working furiously, but seemed to be going around in circles like a clock with the gears locked. His body moved forward, also like clockwork, disconnected from the rest of his body. It wasn't until he felt the pressure that was so painfully familiar on his arm that he snapped out of it. He glanced down at Thalia, terrified by the fear and pain in her eyes. Peacekeepers were moving towards them to pull her away but Sebastian slowed them with a glance.

"You can't go. Sebastian, y-you can't leave me" She cried the tears spilling over her brown eyes. Sebastian shook his head furiously, trying to fight his own tears. He gripped with unbreakable delicacy, any part of her that he could reach, trying to memorize every inch of her. A sob caught in both their throats, and Thalia stared at Sebastian hard.

"Be safe." She told him, her voice resigned. Sebastian shook his head again, never wanting to let her go. They were making a scene, and the Peacekeepers were nearing with renewed determination. Sebastian only had a few moments. He leaned his head down and brushed his lips across Thalia's, no chance of regret crossing his mind. It was only a moment, but Sebastian felt like he had been given an eternity. She was all that mattered now, he had to see her again. Sebastian squeezed her hands gently and then let go, taking a long step backwards.

"I will come home. I promise." He told her, meaning every word. He turned away, stepping towards the stage. He had to focus if he was going to come home, he had to forget the pain and weakness in his chest. He was going to have become someone else, be like the careers. He wasn't Sebastian anymore.

As he mounted the stage, Sebastian caught the eye of the girl he was going to have to watch die. It was worth it if he could come home to Thalia. I hope. The mayor rushed over to where Sebastian was standing and shoved the microphone in his face.

"That was quite the display." He said, waiting for his response. Sebastian nodded and then looked straight into the cameras, giving the fiercest look he could muster to the tiny blinking red dot. Panem was going to remember him, he was going to win these games.

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[Lulu]

Volunteering for the District 8 Female spot is now open. Volunteers will be accepted in the first-come, first-serve manner, and must have been registered in the Reaping Eligibility Check. Members may not have more than one tribute competing at a time. If you have stepped down in one district, you may not volunteer in another.

Please note that any instances of gloating, taunting, flaming, swearing at, etc directed at members because they either did or did not manage to get the spot they were after will not be tolerated, and will be met with banhammering or any other disciplinary action that is deemed appropriate.

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[Matt]

Anya Marie Crider

Nine Months.

It had been nine months since the party where Anya Crider had gotten absolutely wasted. It had been nine months since Anya Crider couldn't tell up from down, how to open a door, and most importantly, how to tell right from wrong. And it had been nine months since Anya Crider encountered the mysterious man who turned out to be the father of her child.

It had been four months since Anya couldn't conceal her baby bump any longer. It had been four months since Anya could barely look her brother in the eyes as a waterfall of tears erupted from her tear ducts. It had been four months since Anya's father cruelly grabbed his daughter by the shoulders and threw her out into the cold night, without even a single word or goodbye. It had been four months since Anya began living on the street.

It had been three months since Anya decided to give up begging her "friends" for a place to say, after each and every one of them turned her away. It had been three months since a girl Anya had barely looked at twice while she was on top found the pregnant girl sleeping alone on a park bench. It had been only three months since the hospital young female had offered Anya a place to stay for a while. It had been three months since Anya found a new home.

It had been a month since Anya began drinking again. It had been a month since Anya's head was filled with thoughts of the betrayal of her friends, the dumb bastard in her stomach, the cruel parents who no longer loved her. It had been a month since Anya had creeped out late at night to attend various parties. It had been a month before Anya began to spiral into a deep, dark depression.

It had only been an hour and twelve minutes since Anya's voice cried out in the District Square, "I volunteer!" It had been an hour since the visitations began, and it had come to no surprise that a very limited number of people came to see the young girl. It had been five minutes since Anya boarded the train that would take her to the Capitol, and to her doom.

It had only been a few seconds since Anya began to regret what she had done.

[Lulu]

Anya Crider is now the District Eight female tribute.

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[L'Amelie]

R E M Y // H A R K N E S S

Remy placed a hand on Lisbeth's shoulder to keep her from fidgeting. "How many more minutes, mommy?" Lis whispered to their mother. Mom shook her head and placed a finger to her own lips. "A few more." Remy told her young sister, pushing back a few pieces of wispy hair behind her ear. Lis was only five, she didn't even realize what the Games were yet.

"Shoot, sorry I'm late." Remy jumped as she heard the familiar voice behind her and the familiar hand slip into her own. Mika. Remy did a quarter-turn and flashed him a smile, squeezing his hand. "Nervous?" he muttered into her ear, half-teasing. But Remy couldn't supress the shudder that went down her spine. There was always the fear in the back of her mind that she would be reaped. Or Mika, or any of her four siblings that were eligible.

A hush fell over the crowd as the Mayor ascended the sad-looking wooden stage, which people tried to dress up every year by adding flimsy looking knitted flowers and droopy polyester banners to it. He opened his large mouth and began to speak, his voice booming over the crowd thanks to his microphone. "It is time to once again send two of our own children to the Capitol to compete in the Hunger Games. Let us begin the Reaping." Behind Remy, a women began crying softly to herself. Remy didn't even have to turn to know who it was- it was Mrs. Lane, who had lost her twin daughters, Lainey and Enigma, to two separate Hunger Games. Enigma has been brutally killed in last year's Games and the pain must still have been horrifically fresh.

"Ladies first" the Mayor said. Her mother reached over and placed her hand over Remy's, which was still resting on Lisbeth's shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye, Remy saw her put her other arm around Mara and pull her close. The Mayor pulled his hand out of the Reaping basket and read the name aloud. "Charlotte McAfee!" Her father exhaled, half in relief and half to drown out the sound of Charlotte's parents crying out in horror.

Ignoring the commotion, the Mayor pressed on. He reached into the second basket and withdrew a name. "Sebastian Miller." Remy couldn't help but gasp and she heard Mika make a sound of outrage in the back of his throat. Sebastian. Such a familiar name. The boy that was so close with the Rose girl. He and Mika know each other. Sebastian (how could Remy not know that he was an orphan?) shambled towards the stage, seemingly in a lifeless daze.

There was a jostling in the crowd as someone fought their way towards the front. Thalia, Remy soon saw. Thalia Rose. The girl ducked underneath the close-off, stumbling towards Sebastian. She was muttering, her voice suddenly growing audible as she shouted "You can't leave me!" She reached for Sebastian and he reached for her. But Peacekeepers were swarming her, pulling her back. Their arms connected for a second before she was yanked away. She whispered something inaudible to him as she was being dragged and Remy strained to make out what she he briefly uttered.

The wails of the McAfee's were growing louder, so loud that it was hard to hear what the blonde girl said as she charged onto the stage. Remy recognized her quite easily. Anya Crider, the girl who had gotten pregnant so young. No one could hear her, but her intention was clear. She was volunteering in the place of Charlotte McAfee.

Mika swallowed heavily and put his arm around Remy, burying his face in her hair. He couldn't watch, he was never able to. And so turned, wrapping her arms around his thin waist and pressing her face into his chest. Because for the first time, in her 17 years of watching the Reapings, she couldn't watch either.