60th Reaping [D7]

[Lulu]

The escort of the district 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 the 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, "Alainia Arbol!"

[/color] He then reached into the other ball. "Dominic Rosenfeld!"

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 Tuesday, January 17th, a staff member will post saying that volunteering is open. Please do not post until you see this staff message. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

Tributes, please do not make your acceptance or denial of your spot in character; instead, please leave an ooc note at the end of your post stating whether they accept or are stepping down for volunteers.

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]

[semper]

A cold day. It had been almost one year since Dominic had met Jana back near the border fence. Back then he had tried to hurt her because she had tried to stop him while he was on a rage and tried hurting Themba and Ayane. But now, he realized, he didn't know what he would have done the whole past year if it hadn't been for her stopping him. She had saved him from himself and he cherished her for that. One year ago he would have launched himself at anyone and everyone, snarling and curling his fingers to claw the person; but now he could resist those urges more and the voice in his head had become quieter. Not completely gone, but definitely quieter, though its sarcasm and spitefulness hadn't toned down in the least bit. And I won't, so get over it.

[/color]

Dominic avoided everyone in the seventeen-year-old pen like he had done for the past five years since he was a little boy. Some of the other boys had heard him talking and hissing to himself, which, of course, made them wary and avoid him. He stood in the back corner, having a decent amount of space all around him. He didn't mind people avoiding him in the pen, all it did was give him the most space and not be claustrophobic. Of course you mind it, people are avoiding you. Don't lie to yourself.[/color] He shook his head, trying to play it off by looking off to the side at something interesting. Nothing was there but dirt and shoe prints. Don't bother. You're not fooling anyone.[/color] The boy's emerald green eyes cast their gaze down to his feet in submission. There was no use in denying it: everyone knew he was a freak. He came and left alone, talked to himself in an angry tone, was always scared, and wouldn't hesitate to attack you for any reason. Maybe it would be better if he just disappeared. It would.[/color] He silently agreed with the voice.

As the crowds grew silence, the boy lifted his gaze and attention to the district escort, determined to not make any sort of eye contact with the people around him. His heart steadily began racing. What if he called Jana's name? Dominic suddenly began to panic. No, he couldn't deal with that. He wouldn't be able to watch her fight and die on television. The palms of his hands became cold and clammy so he clenched and unclenched them, shoving them in his pockets to keep from fidgeting. What if they called Ayane instead? No, no, no. He couldn't lose either of them. Heart pounding in his chest, the silence was almost painful to his ears; it was much too quiet.

"Alainia Arbol!"

A sigh of relief escaped him. Jana and Ayane were safe, but he wasn't out of the ballpark yet. There was low chatter among the girls who hadn't been reaped. The nauseating, clammy grip of fear held him once again as silence came over the crowd as the escort of the district reached into the boy's jar. Dominic wasn't sure if he was starting to hyperventilate, but he was sure that he was becoming lightheaded.

"Dominic Rosenfeld!"

So about that disappearing act you wanted earlier...[/color]

Dominic stood frozen. Had the man really just said his name? Some of the other boys were casting quick glances at him. They called your name, stupid ass. Pay attention and stop worrying about that bitch of a girl.[/color] A deep, rumbling growl came to Dominic's chest at the voice, but it quickly died away when he remembered that this was exactly why people were avoiding him in the pen. He quickly lowered his gaze, cheeks running hot.

Thoughts began racing through his head. Should he accept or wait for someone to volunteer? Really, let's be honest here. Who in the right mind would want to save your life by volunteering for you? You're a freak and a psycho. No one's gonna take your place because they want you gone.[/color] The words stung like a hornet's sting, but he knew the voice was right this time. No one would want to take the place of someone like him. No one liked him -- except Jana.

Jana.

What would happen to her? Where was she? Dominic raised his eyes and tried to look over on the girl's side, but he couldn't distinguish anyone in the mass. Would she be sad that he had been reaped? He didn't know. Would she be proud of him for going to represent the District and going to look Death right in the face of twenty-three other tributes? He doubted it. But if he won.... maybe people wouldn't view him as a freak anymore -- quit lying to yourself[/color] -- and they would regret the way they had treated him in the past because he was able to survive the Games -- just shut up before you lead yourself on.[/color] He could be a victor. "I'll show them all," he murmured quietly, a feeling of determination filling him. "I'll show them all."

Dominic lifted his head and started toward the stage, casting another long glance at the girl's side of the Square. He still couldn't see Jana, but hopefully she wouldn't be sad. He didn't want her to be in the least bit. "I'll win this for her. I'll show them all that they were wrong about me. I'm not a freak. I'll bring honor to our District." He felt the gaze of people behind him boring into his back like hot pokers, but this time it didn't bother him. Dominic was going to prove them all wrong about him.

Those are strong words. Let's see if you can live up to them.[/color]




((Dominic accepts his position as tribute. :D ))

[/blockquote][/size]

[gm bourgeois decadence [aya]]

We're going to go ahead consider Fearless, who was reaped as d7f, as inactive a couple hours early because she hasn't been on since December. Volunteering for District 7 Female is now open.

[/blockquote]

[sbeeg]

Reapings didn't scare Ally Willics. Nothing really did. That was an up side to being so dim witted- you don't know what to be scared of. All dolled up in a white dress her father bought her, blond curls falling around her face Ally was the picture of innocence. Standing with the other sixteen year old girls, the cleanliness of her dress was almost blinding compared to the other's. She felt the glares of the other girls on her and she couldn't understand why they hated her so much. Sure, she had nice things but is that a reason to loathe a person?

Looking down, Ally tried to ignore the quick insults whispered into her ear or the "accidental" elbows in her side. "Why are you even here, we all know you're not going to get reaped," one girl snapped at her. The Willics girl felt like crying. Why were people so mean to her? What did she do to deserve that?

They announced the female tribute's name. Not Ally's. Not anybody's she knew. Her eyes glanced around the other girls trying to find the one that had been reaped. Ally found her alright, standing with the seventeen year olds, a look a pure fear on her face. She doesn't want to go into the Games Ally thought as the girl started to look back at the faces staring at her. "See," a voice hissed in her ear. "Not you."

Something built up in Ally that didn't frequent her mind as often as others. It was warm and made her teeth bit into her lower lip. The feeling made Ally glare at the girls around her. The emotion growing in her brain like a disease made her throw her hand in the air and step out from the other girls in her section.

The words "I volunteer!" left her mouth with such volume that they echoed through the square. A girl next to her tugged at the sleeve of her white dress. "What are you doing?" she asked rushed and scared, as if Ally's stepping out brought attention to her and would get her reaped too.

"Playing a game," Ally smiled, removing herself from the girl's grasp and stepping out into the open.


Ally Willics volunteers as tribute

[cass]

NOM NOM | A TRIBUTE TO DOMINIC

Goodbye to you, my trusted friend.
We've known each other since we're nine or ten.
Together we climbed hills or trees.
Learned of love and ABC's,
skinned our hearts and skinned our knees.

To be honest I hadn’t expected it. I hadn’t expected the little guy to die. Memories of his determined face and the weak and flailing hits he had aimed it me rush through me. I take a deep breath letting it exhale slowly… I didn’t understand why I was shocked or even a little upset, but to tell you truthfully I had felt something for the guy. He had tried to hit me and bash me, but he failed really badly. The room was quiet and ark, matching the way I felt right now. I stare glumly at the little television watching the small flickering lights. I had no reason to pay attention to the lights anymore… after all Dominic Rosenfled was dead.

I wasn’t sure, but I think I actually had felt something for the guy. I feel as if, as if… I actually have lost a friend. But that is ridiculous, I am a Peacekeeper that hates district people and feels no sympathy towards the idiots. And yet I felt a small pang of hate for the Capitol, after all my only friend was dead because of them. I glare hatefully at the TV as the small people fight for their lives. They had friends and family, they had people who loved them, people that would be in more pain then I was. Abruptly I stand sending the remote control flying onto the ground. I race my hand through my hair and take a deep, but shaky breath.

The air outside was cold and the air stung my throat, but I didn’t mind it… what was a little bit of pain compared to what Dom had to go through… Dominic, so that had been that guy’s name. I felt the sadness run through me, I had only known the guy for a short time and yet I had learnt just how different people were from me. Just how much better they are then me. I glare at the passing Peacekeeper who needs politely to me. I didn’t want to feel superior to anyone least of all these people who had to live in so much pain, who go through so much pain for our entertainment.

Only now do I realise all this, only now do I see what has happened because I have lost someone, I may not have been close to them, but one of the best memories of my life was with them… and that was because he had made me smile. Dom had made me see just how determined people can be. Just how different they are. I have found someone who changed an opinion I was so sure I would never think differently of. I continue down the silent streets, no one was out. Of course they weren’t they were all watching the games. Of course they were. I couldn’t watch anymore. I couldn’t think of the Capitol as my home anymore.

One death can change a life. No matter how little you know them. Dominic Rosenfeld changed my life. I have always been a stuck up Peacekeeper who thought nothing of themselves. It all changed when I meet that boy. I once stood with the Capitol and now I think that is changing. It is time for something new.

Goodbye my friend, it's hard to die,
when all the birds are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air
Pretty girls are everywhere.
When you see them I'll be there.