CAP - The Pregames Opening Ceremony (all signed up players)

[Jack Lexington]

Career Arena Pregames
Part Two

Hundreds of voices filled the elevated bleachers that surrounded the inner part of this years pregames arena of district two. The district had spent a fortune to provide the audience with a real spectacle as district two’s careers were a very special breed. Many times they made it far in the games or even came home as victors due to their fierceness but also training in combat skills, tactics and physical fitness. An adequate preparation and show to get them ready for the big event was a given.
Everybody who could spare the time around the district was piling into the large space under bright blue skies. The sun was beating down as if summer was already in full bloom while vendors were selling drinks among the crowd.
A large screen at the far displayed the popular career logo that could be seen all around training centers of the district.

As the speakers came on the crowd suddenly fell silent:

“Each year two lucky tributes get chosen to go into the arena and possibly come home as a victor, where he or she will live in wealth and honor. If you think this is only the Capitols point of view you are mistaken. Ask the boys and girls of district 2, who train almost each day to be the best, cleverest fighters and strategists they can be. Each one of them is eager to hear their own name at the reaping because they know they can win.
From axe throwing, sword fighting, archery, bare knuckle fighting to survival skills, building camps, finding edible plants, purifying water to first aid. They train it all and such skills need to be put to the test.

The ultimate test for those young men and women are our pregames. Let me remind you: They will will last up to four days, this time around. They will fight until a judge will determine who won. They will be pushed to survive and fight until one last career is standing.

Unlike the previous year, our precious careers won't just wait until the next day to compete, living in the lap of luxury and healers at their becking call. They will be subjected to an all new battle. They will have to put all their skills to the test, because once they go into the labyrith, they will not come out until there is one left. Their skills of first aid and survival will be put to the test this time around. However, there will be no sponsors to send them life saving items. These careers are in it for the long haul. You will be able to follow the events on screens around the labyrinth as well as the market squares of your towns.

Please give a round of applause to this years contestants:


Contestants, who take part for the first time are:
Achilles Williams
Lanie Fleck
Rhiannon Reign
Allyssa Tornhell
Cyder
Alexander Chastmen
Calliope Kingsley
Evander Birch
Apollo Birch
From last year you’ll recognise:
Gala Thomas
Kyanite Ruze
And Matthew Dunham, who almost brought home the victory last year. "

In front of the eyes of an eagerly cheering audience the contestants entered the arena.

[pup]

A C H I L L E S

Glory. It means to have honor. I have honor. They don't have honor. I will show that today. I remember my parents telling me before I left to go to the arena for this, "Don't be like your Birch cousins Achilles." They are the loser. The pines are the loser. The Williams are the winners. So I will win it because it is inevitable. I am surrounded by losers.

I take a look at my opponents, none of them seem like a threat and I bet they have unicorn stuff animals to sleep with at night. None of them have particularly much muscle and I wonder how they even were able to sign up. This would be way to easy. Then we were told to go into the arena. Sunlight streams into my face from walking into the bright day from a tunnel as black as night. My eardrums are almost blasted away from the noise of the crowd. I can tell they are cheering for me because who else could they be cheering for. Everyone of my other competitors are lame.

I smile at the crowd and raise my hands to them before putting them back down. My muscles rippling gracefully as I move. I will not lose. I will win.

I look at my clothes, they are fancy fighting clothes that fight tightly, good for breaking someone's neck. I can see my muscles through it and just know some girls are looking at me. I mean, who wouldn't look at me. I am perfect.

Because I'm practically perfect in every single way I will win and gain more glory, more honor. And then I will destroy all these dirtbags.

[thompson harvard - d2b - arc]

I don't know what I'm really doing here; especially since I can't hear a single word that people are saying. I'm about six years younger than most of these people and all of them look like they could crush my skull with their thighs. How did I get into this mess, really, was probably someone at school who picked on me. They probably signed me up as some joke to see how I would do and to possibly (most likely from how brutal these guys look) get very hurt. I've seen what this is on the boards of the market. It's some fight that involves careers of district two who fight for the crown. I'm not very interested in the crown, but I did get somewhat hopeful because my father and the lady who owns my foster home would never sign me up for career training of sorts. This would be the closest I have ever gotten so far to touching a weapon. Who knows? I might actually do well.

The people around me were tall, very tall. I was short. Shorter than most people and probably won't be able to see me easily. I can hide. But that's besides the point. I think I need to start getting prepared. But what is there to prepare for? I don't know what they're saying at all and I don't know what to even do in order to start. Oh, how did I get here? That's an entertaining story to tell you about while I try to figure out what the hell I'm doing.

To start with, it definitely was NOT a great morning to start with. I woke up fine, yes, but no sooner had I changed into fresh clothes, two peacekeepers barged into my room. They grabbed onto my arms (with almost too tight of a grip for my liking) and pulled me out. I tried resisting, kicking, biting, thrashing around in their arms to get away because I had absolutely no idea what they were doing to me. I wanted to get away. I wanted to flee, run away from their grip because the grip seems too deadly to handle for my liking; almost as if it were life and death. I eventually gave up, because, what was the point of struggling?

While I was getting lugged around the district like a traveling bag in an airport, I had gotten a lot of strange looks. Almost as if they were saying  "Where is she going?" or "What is she doing to herself? Poor soul." Both of those seemed pretty often, but some gave me thumbs up and grinned to me, which I had no idea why they were doing that. It kind of creeped me out. I remembered that today is the arena fight where careers go and fight each other to show how capable they are of being in the arena. I don't know about you, but I was pretty sure that was one of the things I would never sign up to go to. Was that where I was going to? We got closer and closer to a building my suspicion built up, and suddenly, it all fell down on me. 


Yes, they were true, the suspicions, the odd looks, the thumbs up, the occassional pat on the back, yes. I was going into the arena to fight kids that were at least four to six years older than me. I didn't sign up; but probably someone else did.

That is probably what ended up leading me to this time and moment now. Lost, confused, and pretty much dazed because I didn't have a damn clue of what to do. Maybe waiting is good. But maybe just running away is good. Anything is good, I am good, but not at fighting. I'm not a fan of action, but this is a game of action; and action must take place.

---

Tags: POC Intro post
Notes: I have no idea how I'm writing this. But, I'm excited! This will be fun.
WC: 649

[ghosty]

[googlefont="Cedarville Cursive:400;Open Sans Condensed:300"]Lanie Fleck

[presto][/presto]

The district was getting all fired up for the pre-games we always hold. Basically, the chaos of the games with less death and so on. It's only sweat and tears, not with the extended blood running around everywhere, congealing upon everything that the Games actually has. In some respects, it's as close as many of the people here will get to the games, and hopefully, it's as close as I want to get. Any closer, and I'm convinced that I could die at any moment. And I know that Alabaster couldn't take the damage of losing me, before he goes over an edge that he couldn't climb back over. He's gone through enough already. With he parents, he might as well be living with with the devil and his wife.

And we were ushered into an arena, us as the competitors, were being judged by each other, and by the crowd itself, pulling favourites and odds from just the look of us. Not even by our words, but by the size of muscles, the way that we stand where we are. The pompous glares, the nervous stares of the other contestants puts me on edge, some of their skills could easily kill others, and here I am, right between the lot of them. Not a career for many years, but not afraid to fight to show that I am skilled. But there is pressure upon me, to prove to Alabaster's bastard parents; to prove that I can be trusted and talented enough for me to be with him as a person. To go against my own past, a past of drugs and thugs. And this seems like a perfect opportunity. In front of the whole district, so they can't miss a bloody thing.

And a fight is the best way to show to a district 2 family that you are the right person for their child.

OOC: I can't wait for this, threading with so many people!

[Avalon]

.:RHIANNON REIGN:.

.:fucking with a
goddess
and you get a little colder:.

Sacrifice.
The District was anxious for the Pre-Games. It was anticipated that this years was going to be more brutal than the last, and so, it was well longed for. District Two is well known for producing the most vicious, sadistic tributes, and that is a title that we must uphold. Each year as the games pass on, and one tribute remains, we hold a pre-games before the actual one's, to increase the hype for the citizens. These games didn't require the twenty-four that the actual games do, but there are a damn well number of people that sign up for it. The point of these games are to simulate the arena in the best way possible. The District's adolescents from all over, of reaping age, sign up and volunteer to get a firsthand of what the adrenaline feels like in the mock-arena. Mimicking the emotions, feelings, everything that the Hunger Games arena would bring are brought unto the courageous volunteers in the wall of these pre-games, with the exception of death, but that is never promised.

Within seconds upon being forcefully placed into the arena, the crowd is already analyzing us. If anything, they were more than likely placing odds on the most masculine and well built competitor. All around me the nervous, and eager faces that were showcased upon fellow contestants truly displayed how they felt. I look rather perplexed at the ones that looked scared for their well being. Why would they sign up if they're afraid for their lives? It didn't take much common sense to conjure up an answer, but only those who have could answer. As for me, I don't necessarily do much, I'm a very humble person, and I didn't need to attract the attention of any one of the spectators. I was never usually the one to hope that I'm well liked as everyone else, or to prove that I'm a true competitor by upping my arrogance and becoming boisterous. To be shown as a true competitor is through actions, not personality, and this will proven to be one when the games commence.

"Give them a little something, Reign.", My trainers voice reappears in the back of my mind. If he were to see me standing here, looking around stoically,there is no doubt he'd be quite disappointed. 
 
Taking a deep breath, and letting is escape my lips in a sigh, I smile for the crowd. Although I was never fond of my smile, other people seemed to like it very much. The most I do is wave and smile to the crowd, nothing extra like scream and beg for the attention like some of the others. 

OOC NOTES:

This is so exciting, can't wait for the games to begin!

thanks annecordelia

[Knuckles]

[googlefont="Marck Script:400"]

Evander Birch

From the day we arrive on the planet and blinking, step into the sun

It's been beat into me since I was an innocent child. The brutality of the games. Training in the career academy. Fighting for honor. For glory. For the right to become a victor. It's all I ever knew for the longest time, and for many years I watched as people ran into the games fighting, hoping, dying. I watched as people turned against one another. As the games turned people into a monster, but isn't that what the career training is about? Becoming a ruthless killing machine? If someone asked me that question many years ago, my answer would've been yes because it's what I was becoming. I had no emotions. It didn't matter to me when I accidentally hurt an innocent child. Their screams were nothing to me, but in the blink of an eye it all changed.

Cassius. Beatrice. Hannah. Ares. All of them fought through the arena. The bloodbath. Hunting. A no life career, and a trained career from district one. It consumed them. Taking them away. It didn't matter. It didn't hurt. In fact it only made me train harder each day because I wanted to be the one to restore the honor and the glory to the Birch family. I wanted to bring home the victory, yet watching them fall one by one changed how I looked at things. Especially when Ares fell. He trained harder than anyone I ever knew. He fought against people. Every single day I would see him standing in the academy wielding weapons. A sword. That's all he ever wanted, and for most of the games, I thought he had it in him. He was the winner. He was the victor, but he fell. To a career. It made me realize that not even the strongest of tributes stood a chance in a hell created by the Capitol.

And I stopped training because it didn't matter anymore. My family turned against me. Apollo constantly bashing me telling me I'm not good enough. That I'm the one who deserved to die. That Ares should still be here; I'm not the one who volunteered for the games. I'm not the one who stabbed his best friend in the eye. I'm not the one who put myself into hell. Ares volunteered. He ran forward because he wanted to. He could've been safe. Survived another year, yet he ran forward with pride. He wanted the honor that only one tribute receives every single year. It was for him, but in the end it didn't matter. He was a monster, a killing machine, and even that didn't save him.

Yet I've trained since then. Growing back into the old ways as I look for a way to bring Apollo down from his high. To bring him back to the earth. To shatter his pride before it destroys him like it did Ares. The cockiness has to go, but he doesn't take me seriously. In my eyes, Apollo believes that everyone should train. He believes that all the district citizens should live, breathe, and fight for the honor of the district that's been swiped away. It's been such a long time since district two has brought home a victor. It's been a long time since district two has survived past the non career districts. It doesn't matter, and it shouldn't matter because in the end children die because of the harsh realities of the games.

It's the training that brought me here. To the pregames. It doesn't surprise me that Apollo is here. That he's come to show the district that he's the best. Well, he's not. If I have a say in his fate, he'll fall from the cloud he's walking on. I'll shatter his pride because it's what matters most right now. To bring him down to earth. One thing he's never realized is that I need him. Now more than ever as I have a little girl. A daughter. A child that Cassius, Beatrice, Hannah and Ares will never see, and on the inside it tears me apart, but like always I keep a brave face on. One to show the world that I'm fine. A mask. That's all it is. Something to hide the pain growing every single day.

The chanting of the crowd catches me off guard. Spectators waiting for us as they prepare for a ceremony put together by the best of the best. Careers gathering throughout the district to show who's the best career. Looking around at the other participants, I find a cousin of mine. Strange having two people from my family gathered together because normally we don't get along. I don't even know what his name is because I haven't talked to him, and honestly, I want nothing to do with him. Maybe if he came over and spoke to me, I'd respond, but for now it's time to get ready. Time to prepare myself for the adventure. A thrill of the life time. Once again I place the mask across my face wiping all emotions clear, and I stand there. Waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Until it's time to shine.

table by Anzie <333

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Gala Thomas
Age: Fouteen
Bring Forth the Fight



There’s no fear that follows me into the large stadium that the pregames will be taking place in. Can still remember the terror running through my veins last year, during these very steps down this corridor. Regret consumed my heart within its grasp, making me feel like a stupid, immature child for signing up. Sure, I hardly made it past round one. But I did certainly declare my worth. My first opponent was famous Mason Hammerfell, our District’s male Tribute in the last Hunger Games. And though he provided plenty of permanent damage upon me, I inflicted just as much on him. Not going to deny, I did better then any other thirteen year old could even dream of. Let’s just say a bit more confidence is joining me this year.

Darkness surrounds me, and the tunnel I’ve been told to enter from. This should be an interesting Pregames; setup for multiple days, where more then just fighting skills are required. Guess I can be grateful Matthew covered all aspects of being a career, during the short months of him being my Trainer. And that might partially be my reasoning to being here. Last year I proved myself to him, along with everyone else for that matter. Who says I can’t do that again? How I’d love to be faced with that snobby Brunette he was training not to long ago; Olivia was her name? Probably too chicken to join anyhow.

Loud speakers blare out from the outside, hushing down the growing audience that must be losing patients. I free myself from my mind to focus on the information being told from the Announcer. Is some sort of bloodbath about to be unraveled? Or is this just a nonviolent opening? The introductions begin, and a grin forms across my face when my own name is called out. Have to love that it’s under the recognizable category. These newcomers don’t stand a chance against us old timers. The doors to the Arena open, allowing the intrusive light to seep in and blur my vision. Here goes nothing.

Blindly, I step into the Arena. Even if I’m welcomed with a battle, I’m not going to cower in the blackened tunnel behind me. But no attacks greet me as my feet brush up the dirt blanketing the hard ground. My right hand shields the top of my eyes for a better view, while they adjust to the sun’s rays. There’s an odd lack of brutalities. Is this a showing of the contestants before blood begins to spill? Guessing so. A wicked grin spreads across my round cheeks, and instinctively I begin to wave. Good majority must remember me from last year, hoping to see that I’ve only become even fiercer. No doubt, I’m going to give them what they want.

My focus lowers to the opponents around me. No signs of Matthew or Kyanite yet, though I’m fully aware they’re also participating. Perhaps they’re too far away to see at this moment. It’s the ones of my disposition that catch my attention. Just two of them from what I can see, appearing to be about my age. The rest are towering over us, most seeming pumped for the matches lying ahead. Will we be able to show them height and size means as little as we are, when it comes to being a career? That boy looks ready to, but not so much the tiny girl who’s similar to my own frame. Yeah, she looks to be ready to flee from a pack of lions. To no surprise, my focal point remains on the young boy whom can’t be much older then I.

What is it about him that looks so familiar? Maybe it’s the light blonde locks, and breathtaking blue eyes, which reflects from my mirror and twin back at home. Not everyday that I meet someone that also holds that combination. Yet it feels to be something else entirely. That we’re the only two Littles in here who aren’t afraid of a fight? Already I find respect for him just off that alone, and that’s a difficult thing to achieve from me. The way he carries himself so highly, though he’s short enough to tease over. Wonder what’ll happen if we get paired up to battle in here.

Can’t concentrate on a boy while the Pregames are just about to begin. What the hell am I doing? I quickly snap my focus back, turning it towards the other competition I may run into. None are as dangerous as Mason…that is if I’m not faced with Matthew. The rest are easy targets though, non-comparable to whom I’ve been faced with in the past. I’m more then prepared for this. This year, I’m determined to walk out of here all on my own.


OOC: Just a little bit older! Can't wait(=

[Arrows]

______________________

All will fall in line,
They will fall beneath my blade,
I shall dance in the showers of their blood.

This day was going to be one that Xander would remember for a long time. Everything was set from the first glimpse of sunlight that hit his eyes and awoke him from his slumber. He wasted no time in rushing from his sheets and to his closet where his uniform awaited him.Where his garments of battle waited to cloak him in preparation for a fight of a life time.

His entire life Xander had been held to a higher standard, one that belonged to that of a prodigy. His name had been dancing around the district as a future prospect for the games for what seemed like eons of time. Now finally in the midst of glory and among the red stained walls of battle he would truly prove his worth. He would show just how amazing his skills were. He would show them all that Alexander Chastmen never falls, only soars.

Carefully Xander slipped his all black suit onto his sleek body. He grinned at how frail the outfit made him look. He loved it, he might look small but his agility and speed would surely outmatch even the strongest careers there. Not to mention he had been defeating older classed careers since he was ten. Today he would feel no fear, just pure confidence and adrenaline. It was going to be fun.

It didn't take Xander and his family long to arrive to the pre games arena. It was there Xander departed from their comfort with their words of encouragement and pride still lingering like undying echoes within the sanctions of his brain. Ones that could still be heard clearly over the constant din of the massive crowd that surrounded him on every side. District Two in its entirety must be sitting around him in this very moment.

The sound of the announcer shook the stadium to its knees as it commanded all the attention. It welcomed all the contestants including Alexander himself which were all met with ravenous roars of excitement from the clearly patient lacking crowd. It made Xander's head grow even higher. He could see eyes and fingers pointed on him, the prodigy boy. The small boy. The boy who was going to show the world that size was only a figment of people's imagination. Along with the fact that fear can be only five feet tall to those who rightfully fear him.

As the voice cut off and the roars exploded into a cacaphnous squeal, the doors to the arena creakily opened. A devilish grin stretched its way over Xander's face as he entered the arena proudly. Ready to strike down any and all those who dared to oppose his crown. He was ready to end everyone here with nothing other than his bare fists and his undying thirst for human blood.

It was then out of the corner of his eye that a smaller girl nearly his height with striking features appeared. It didn't even take moments for Xander to recognize the girl as Gala. The one who gave Mason Hammerfell a piece of her mind. The girl who just as him was fighting against the crushing fact of their height. The girl with an inner flame that matched the very same intensity of his.

Xander's feet carried him quickly over to her side as his eyes studied his opponent. A cheeky grin found its way to his lips as his voice flowed into the hollowed walls of the arena seeking the attention of young Miss Gala. "Well I will be damned, the girl who was able to give Mason Hammerfell a run for his money. It's quite the honor to meet you Gala, the name is Xander or well Alexander if you prefer. Alexander Chastmen."

As his voice trailed off his eyes swept to the side piece of meat that wasn't very far away from them. He let out a short laugh as he nudged his head in the kid's direction. "Would you look at that, a little twelve year old is sacrificing themselves to be minced meat. I think I will enjoy this." It was then that Xander noticed the hurt within her eyes, he knew Mason was the cause so shockingly he reached a hand out and placed it on her shoulder. What the fuck was he doing? "Hey, not all careers can make it. Plus you have the pregames to worry about." He said with a wink, he sure as hell was acting weird. Oh well maybe it was the adrenaline that was coursing through his veins.

Alexander
Chastmen

[Sage]

EVERYTHING I TOUCH DIES

[presto]

ALLYSSA ▲ TORNHELL I don't exactly remember why I agreed to this again. I should have learned from last year that I couldn't win if I wanted to. Ripred what was I thinking? The music blares in my ears and I have to hold my head up, act like I am proud to be here when to be quite honest, I am absolutely terrified because likely Indi will be watching this and he will find me. The question, no longer, is if, but when. This is what brought Mason and I closer together, what bonded us because both of us got our asses kicked last time but I don't care, this is what he lived to do. I will uphold his memory because I failed miserably at everything else. I have to admit, I'm ready for this, I'm ready to fight for Mason and even though I will not be the one who causes a death these next few days, I will sure as hell fight to win because victory does not always mean death for the other person, there are ways to win without killing the other party and like I've said before, my killing days are over. As I look around at my competition, I cannot help but wonder, will I be the one to succeed or will I fail miserably on day one like I did last year? I don't hear a lot of what the announcer says as I size up my competition and I realize that I could stand a chance but I don't know how big of a chance. One girl stands out to me, she appears about 12 or 13, a child, someone who really doesn't belong here but we shall have to see if she can fight. Trust me, I know not to judge a book by it's cover. I wonder how far she will make it, will she make it past day one or go home humbled by her loss. The other careers around me seem more suited to this place, most of them being around my age and I can feel they're ready for this to start. Oh Ripred, please, I know I've done terrible things in the past but let me win this, for him. I have never prayed before and it feels strange to do so but I'll do what it takes to not let him down again like I did in life. OOC: So excited for this to start though Allyssa may not quite agree with me ▲ T E M P L A T E B Y C H E L S E Y ▲ [/presto]

[Noah Vau - D2 (Cato)]

Apollo Birch

Pre-games. Sounds kind of stupid in my opinion. A bunch of 'careers' getting together to do what we normally do in a gym out in someplace they have cooked up for us. I found the pre-games stupid, but when Evander signed up, I about lost it. If that idiot thinks he can do something than the other contestants must not be worth squat. I trained with Ares. The greatest tribute district two has produced since Julian Bryze himself. He may not have been the strongest. That would have been last's years tribute, Mason Hammerfell. Either that man was older than 18 or chiseled from a mountain. So tall and muscular. Little good it did him. Made him a threat. Ares knew what to do. Evander? He can barely a hold a weapon without crying like a baby back bitch.

I'll give this pre-games thing a shot. The worse that could happen is Evander winning. It has been a while since I've seen him embarrass himself. Perhaps I'll find him, and embarrass him so he won't have to. Maybe I'll show him how to wield a weapon like a true career. Oh how funny it would be if these no life career wannabe's came and destroyed him. A little girl. Even she looks like she could kick Evander's ass. A small grin spreads across my face as I step foot into the arena. Listening to people chanting. One day that will be me. I'll stand foot in front of all of Panem wearing a crown. One only a victor can receive. Maybe this is my shot to show the district what I'm capable of.

Looking around, I chuckle silently. Achilles standing off to the side. Maybe after I embarrass Evander, I'll embarrass the disgrace of a cousin. He'll be a nice punching bag. And then there's many others. A tiny girl. Not even old enough to fight, yet she might show some skill. I don't know, and it doesn't matter. I'll stomp her into the dirt like every other person standing in my way. A young man stands not too far away from me. And many other's. They all look ready to go. Ready to fight. I'll play along for a while. Make them think they have the upper hand on me, but in all reality, they won't know what hit them. Now, if this damn games would just begin because I'm running out of patience.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Gala Thomas
Fouteen
Fresh Blood, Tender Meat



That boy. Strangely, the kid that my focus remained so strongly upon moments before, strolls up to me as though this is a casual occasion. Instantly my eyes catch him before he's even a few yards away, watching him closely as he approaches. Hard to tell if the violence is going to start here. Yet I have a feeling he'd go after the little coward over there prior to targeting myself. From what I can gather at this distance, is he probably recognizes me from the pregames last year. Most likely he's only drawing nearer out of curiosity, perhaps even a desire for a few tips from my experience. My posture remains strong, as though unaffected by his closing steps.

Can' help the grin that spreads across my cheeks when he sounds shocked to witness me at a place like this, providing me encouragement from the strength I held last games. Already I like this guy, simply off his admission to the power and tittle I possess. That is, until Mason is mentioned and my smirk vanishes from my lips. There's no denying the pride I feel over that achievement. But I can't neglect that I believe the damage I inflicted upon Mason is what kept him from returning back to our district. It's his death alone that has me standing within this stadium, determined to show everyone that even a Rugrat like myself can take down the worst Careers. Just wait for these pregames to begin.

"Nice to meet you." I blurt out with a tone that's attempting to neglect the regret I feel towards Mason. Moments ago I felt powerful over the accomplish I maintained because of him, though now I only feel remorse. At least I was smart enough to not introduce my name when Alexander is clearly already aware of it. With how distracted I am over a death at this second, I might of. Then a slight smile returns to my lips when he mentions the small girl I noticed earlier.

Have to admit I'm grateful at least one other shorty is ready for a fight. "Me to." I agree to the excitement of facing a pack of prepared careers, and one scaredy cat. Though the excitement I held before isn't recovered. It's then that Alexander notices my sadness, and shares that not all Careers make it through the games. It's nice to know that he understands, while his simple touch on my shoulder provides so much more. He's right though; the pregames stand before us, requiring much more attention then the problems of the past.

"Very true." I comment in a hushed tone. My mind leaves the issues that I'm unable to control, concentrating on the name he's presented to me. Alexander, his name and appearance seems to familiar to me. "So what brings you to a place like this?" I question before clicking together the prodigy child that stands before me. Probably a stupid question now that I think about it, though it may be the perfect conversation starter. Difficult task to come up with anything, while a screaming crowd surrounds us.

[jess]

O V E R T I M E O U R W I R E S C R O S S E D

C A L L I O P E ▲ K I N G S L E Y

Useless competitions - that's all they are, a waste of time, a waste of skill and a waste of energy. But clearly this type of "competition" is the type my father wants me to be in. To participate in and bring glory to the Kingsley name. Since my mother died, I've had to try and earn enough publicity so we can remain one of the most well-known families in District Two; my father is quite the established businessman and I'm the career of the family. The strong one, the one who has muscles rippled down her arms and legs and across her stomach, the one who puts in one hundred per cent effort into every bit of training, and what do I receive in return? They push me. They tell me to do more, that I should be making the family proud. What little family there is left.

Which is why I am here today. I scan the room to see if there are any major threats. A lot of them look overly confident, ridiculous - like they honestly expect the rest of us to be useless tools. I've been in training since I was little, and I've seeked revenge against everyone who ever wronged me for my whole life. I have determination and skills, and I am not going to under-estimate anyone here. Because I never know if they'll turn out to be worthy opponents; all I know is that I will overcome it.

I don't socialize. I hate talking to other people and having to put on some fake smile and speak in a kind voice when all I want to do is just crush them already. I can imagine my mother placing her gentle hands on my shoulders and telling me to play nice like she did when I was a kid, when I stole crayons and broke dolls and tore apart teddy bears in front of other kids, who would then burst into tears and run to hug their mother's leg. My mother never treated me badly because of it; instead I was scolded and taught to do better. Nowadays, nobody plays nice anymore. It's like a free for all, just like the Games, but a free for all for the right to call themselves a proper Career.

It doesn't make much sense in my mind. I've always seen life as a competition, surpassing others and betraying others to reach the top. I've always had the top focused on my eyesight, always had it as my target to achieve. I suppose this competition is a small step forwards, a small distance upwards on the climb to the peak of strength, when I can finally look down on the rest of the world and proclaim myself as their queen. After all, I've always been a queen. Ever since my father chose my name and told my mother that Calliope Kingsley is a name fit for a queen, and she agreed, even the nurses agreed. Then they took me home and tucked me away in my new room and welcomed me to life the right way. 

Only life was about to do a 360 turn on me and kick me right off balance.

Then again, I've always expected it. Life to turn around, for there to be plot twists, changes, betrayals - not everything can be decided by me. I don't mix well with change, but I have to learn to deal with things like this. I've learned to deal with a lot. I dealt with Mother's death on my own, after Father was too depressed to speak to me. Then I took training into my own hands, as soon as I was granted the opportunity to learn sword-handling skills. By Father. Some call me a daddy's girl, but I call it using others to take your own opportunities into your hands. I used Father so I can learn to fight. I used my family's money to fight better, learn more, practice harder, become stronger. Is there anything wrong with that? I'm not sure if it could be deemed as wrong. I certainly don't see it that way.

The speakers blare up and I breathe out, relaxing as they begin to read out some dull speech. I only tune in when they start explaining about the pregames, the tournament, or competition as they call it, which I am about to participate in. No, I'm not participating - I didn't come here to make friends or have fun, I came here to win, get it over and done with then go home. I don't want anything like friendship or the joy of participating - I only thirst for victory. And victory is what I shall get.

I take a look at the other competitors. Oh, if only the killing aspect of the Games was still in play here. Then I'd have far more fun. I chuckle lightly under my breath, and raise my head. Game on. I turn my back on the rest of them and fold my arms over my stomach, waiting for this ridiculous mingling part of the pregames to be over.

Let me crush them already.

T E M P L A T E B Y C H E L S E Y

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

If it wasn’t for Kyanite I would not set foot into the arena this year. Unlike last year the pregames mean nothing to me now other than underpaid exercise.

They say the pregames are more massive than last year and much more tricky, when back then we had to compete in an old style Roman amphiteater. This year we will battle in a maze until only one of us is standing, which could be days.
Other than that I know next to nothing about the set up or competitors because I come as unprepared as anybody can. My sole exercise has been construction work lately because I never expected to enter the pregames again.

I can’t possibly let the mother of my newborn baby girl go into this alone though. My need to protect her and look out for her is much too strong. I need to see to it that she comes home in one piece, even if I’m not in the best of shapes myself.

Last year I went into the pregames in the best shape I could possibly be in both mentally and physically ripped and ruthless. There was only one guy who eventually beat me.

This year is much different. So much has happened since then. I’ve been stabbed by Kyanites crazy wanna be lover leaving scarred and with only one properly functioning lung. Only a short while ago the right lobe collapsed again. Really- I should not be here.
Maybe my strong looks and reputation will help me for a while but then…what will I do?

I turn my head to see my beautiful girl friend not far away. Our hands are not connected in order to hide our relationship, which could be a weakness. She looks strong. She is strong, I think. Kyanite is the best damn knife thrower I know. Hopefully we’ll get to choose our weapons again.
“You can win this.” I tell her before I step out of the shade and into the sun and noise of the arena.

The crowd is extactic and the roar seems to increase when the announcer tells them my name.
“Matthew Dunham, finalist of last years pregames. He’s looking strong and ready to kill.”

If only he knew…
I tap my fingers against my head in pk fashion to greet them and enter with a confident smile that doesn’t reach the eyes.

Most other careers are already out in the middle of the arena. There's only one I know really well: My former trainee Gala, who has long become a friend. I should have known she'd try again. But we haven't spoken lately so I couldn't ask her.
Some of the others look vaguely familiar, maybe from the training center, some others not. Out of all of them I have to be the oldest and maybe physically best built. That doesn't mean much though, we all know that.

[*]

I have a baby! I have a boyfriend with whom I have that child with and here I am standing in front of the gates to this stupid game again. One last chance for victory. To show everyone in this district that I am not weak. I tried once before and failed. I dug up guilt from hurting my friend and again, she's going to be in this. I can only hope that I do not meet her in the arena. I can only hope that I do not meet my boyfriend for if I do, I don't know who will be leaving. I certainly don't want to feel obligated to give up but I won't back down.

Oh why is this so hard?

"Each year, two lucky tributes get chosen to go into the arena..." I listen to the start of the words from the announcer. It's strange to thing that the last time I participated, I barely even know Matthew. I had no relations to him. A little over a year later, and I have more to focus on. My old reputation of being a feirce career has went out the window. Most of the girls I trained against have surpassed my skills because of things that have happened since the last pregames. Things that have made me stronger, emotionally and physically. I just want to get my name back. I want what any career wants, and that is recognition for the hard work that I used to do. I want to see if I still have what it takes to kill someone if I had to even though these pregames won't go that far. Then again, it's not suppose to go that far.

It has before...

and Matthew was the one that came the closest to killing someone. Could he still do it? Will he be able to beat someone down and gain the title this year?

My fingers tingle from the way my nails are biting into my palms. I don't dare look to anyone else that might be near. I don't look up to the stands where the crowds of people are staying. All I know is that the twist for this pregames is a lifelike arena where - once we go in, we won't come out - until the very end. For the next four days, I'm going to miss my little Mira. Although, I think it's time to start regretting my decisions because what if I become injured and can't care for her? What if something happens to Matthew again?

Is this all worth it?

Is it, at all?

I let the air flow into my lungs. I let my body's tense muscles react. I hate how people are watching me and seeing the doubt on my face as much as it is in my heart to compete. Where is Gala? Where is Matthew? I want to know what's going on in their heads. Will they fight me to the end? Will they use the pointed edge of the blade against my skin to have a chance at victory? Will any of these new ones?

Suddenly, I catch a glimps somewhere not far from me and see him. His blonde hair and perfect build. That fearful look in his eyes that only I can see. I can tell he's nervouse. I wish he hadn't came in. I wish that he would have stayed out to care for our baby girl, but I feel like he's really wanting to protect me. Perhaps, that's why I should cut off all ties right now?

Maybe?

Sever the ties now and compete as if it was only a games and I am nothing but solo cause I sure don't want him taking a blade in place of myself. I have two reasons to get out of here alive. Matthew and Mira.

They have my heart and they will always keep my heart. I relax my fingers, flexing out the tingling pulsations. A small grin comes across my face when he mouths words to me in the form of 'win this'. I nod at him and then mouth back 'You, too'. I hope he can do it this time. I hope that he will surpass his old record. This year, we know what's expected but can we do it again?

"Last years contender, Kyanite Ruze is entering the arena now." The announcer introduces me just after Matthew and I step up to the indention into the wall that is marked with a 'K'. I look around for the others, but with heavy bout of fear, I press the button in the middle and wait for the moment to be pushed into the pregames yet again.

Will I get weapons before or after I take off into the maze? Will I get to use resources or anything? This games we won't have the luxury of fine medical care after a battle. This is more brutal. It's go hard or go home - literally.

[Jack Lexington]

Once all the careers had entered the arena the roar of district two's crowd became so loud that it was almost feelable. It sent vibrations through the contestants.

Nobody knew exactly who they were cheering for in the end, only that some got more applause than others when they entered. In this game it didn't matter who the people favoured though, only the skills that the young men and women had picked up during their training so far. There were no sponsors.

"Calm down, folks, calm down." The announcer reminded them.
"That was one hell of a welcome for our careers. I can tell you're just as excited as me about this year's pregames."

There was a pregnant pause before he continued in a much more serious tone.

"Careers, get ready for the competition. Each one of you will see the letter of the gate that leads into the mace behind his or her name on the screen. Proceed from there. Two of you will meet in the mace and fight. That's how you earn points. After four days we will have determined who of you won the most fights...."
The following laughter sounded evil when he added. "Or is still in one piece....cause be aware- from day two on there will be weapons in the mace. Find a safe spot for the night- who knows who's coming after you while you sleep. You may not team up, you may throw the white towel though! Are yu ready? Cause we surely are and we want to see some fierce action that will make our whole district proud and show the Capitol how we breed those incredible tributes."

The faces of all contestants appeared on the large screen opposite the audience. Behind each name was the letter resembling the letters engraved into the red sandstone of the mace.


A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H


Apollo, I
Alyssa, J
K
Cyder L

OOC: Please send me jpgs 100 x 150 of the missing 4 careers.
@all players: Please make one more post here before the fights start. The opponents will be sent to you by pm.