97th Reaping [District Ten]

[dars]

Mayor Novak wore a nice suit, standing at the podium to address the people. Victors Andal and Saffron stood on stage as the representatives of the mentors in District Ten, both watching the crowd in wait of what was to come. A deep somberness could be felt across the entire square by the time Blue the escort made it on stage.

"It is time." She said as she 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!"

She did not look to see the reaction of her district before reaching into the glass ball that held the names of the children. "First up," the Escort announced, pulling out a slip of paper. She unfolded it and read out to the crowd, "Duchess Duchannes!" She then reached into the ball again, selecting another name. "Sayed El-Aly [NPC]*!"


OOC - RPing is allowed. Please feel free to post below with any character in the district reacting as you'd like.

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.

Tributes have until Tuesday, June 4th to post their acceptances.


*volunteering for this position will open on Tues 6/4 to anyone who completed the 97th Activity check

[dars]

D U C H E S S

"Teen Miss August Fest is coming up! Have you been working on your new routine?" Momma asked over breakfast, handing over the syrup. The breakfast spread was a rather typical one for the Duchannes household: pancakes, orange slices, and fresh bacon from the Winchester Ranch down the way. I had my blonde hair pushed out of my face with a white headband, with a matching pristine dress, neat and clean and freshly ironed.

"I've been tryin' but honestly, there's really only so much I can do with a jump rope on my own." I was good at it- really good at it, but at the end of the day, I knew my old talent was reaching the end of its life cycle and that I'd have to eventually find another to replace it with. Especially for something like August Fest. "You've always wanted to win that one," Momma reminded me, "Might want to start sorting it now before it gets here and you don't have a new show for the judges."

In truth, even the two weeks left between now and then wasn't enough time for me to really get good at anything. The problem was that every second that passed was even less time to practice, but I couldn't make my mind up on it to save my life. It was starting to feel like I might've waited too long.

We ate in silence for a couple more minutes before Dad finally came downstairs to join us, kissed me on the head while walking passed.

"We ready for the big day?" He asked, stopping at the sink to wash his hands. It took me a moment to realize he was meaning the reaping, and not the pageant.

"You know," I said, pointing a syrupy piece of pancake around with my fork, "That's one I never wanted to win." The Hunger Games were for people with skin much thicker and reflexes much faster than my own. Mom smiled, pained.

"You and me both, Sweetheart. Now finish up! We'll have to leave in the next twenty minutes if we're gonna beat the lines."

---

The heat might've been enough to make most people hate District Ten. But for me, it was one of my favorite parts. I loved the feeling of the sun on my skin, the wind in my hair. It certainly beat freezing my butt off inside for four months, listening to Daddy talk about work, or listening to Momma tell stories about her life growing up.

People called my name to get my attention, friends from school, girls I competed with, neighbors I grew up with. I smiled and waved, trying my best to keep my nerves down as I took my place in the lineup. The crowd started to fill in the Square. I saw Mace Emberstatt and Saffron Lowe when they arrived, the latter kissing the former on the cheek before they both took their positions on stage. The mayor came out and said some things, the anthem played. I forced myself to focus on breathing and smiling- Eyes and teeth, Momma always said.

Finally, the escort made an appearance. She wore her namesake from head to toe, in a gown that was far too distracting to win anyone a pageant if you know what I mean, and shoes I imagined felt just as uncomfortable as they looked.

"It is time to once again send two of our own children to the Capitol to compete in the Hunger Games," She said in a tired, lilting voice. If you've made it this far into the post without skipping around or giving up entirely, I love you! Let's be friends! If not: perish. Anyway, I remember my mind being on jump rope again when she first called the name. I truly didn't even register it at first, eyes turning to gawk at me. I smiled, alarm slightly starting to take over before I registered what had happened.

"Oh, my..." I said, smoothing my dress despite there being no wrinkles.

A Peacekeeper nodded toward the stage and I nodded politely, stepping out into the aisle and making my way onto the stage. Once there, I made eye contact with Momma. This might've been one I never wanted any part in, but here I was. It might not have been my forte, but I knew one thing about myself and it's all I told myself to keep from crying: I'm a competitor.

It really was a shame I was going to miss August Fest, though.

[duchess accepts]

[dars]

Volunteering for DISTRICT TEN B is now open. Please ensure that you entered the activity check in order to qualify for volunteering. This position will be filled first come, first served. If no one volunteers, the NPC Tributes will remain in the position and be disposed of at the GMs' leisure.

Thank you, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

[Gamemaker Lauren Kinkade]

Volunteering is now closed.