My mother once told me that back when the Games were first introduced, getting the chance to compete in them was seen as an honor in all districts. Everyone of eligible age could register their name for the Reaping. Even then, there were tesserae for the poor, but these would decrease your chance rather than increase it. When your name was called, the crowd cheered and applauded you, and when you got on the stage, you and your district partner would swear an oath.
You would promise to bring glory to your district, to always protect your partner, and to try with all your might to win. It was a long oath that took up a lot of time, especially since all tributes had to say it. In later days, the oath got shorter, until only the first and the last word were enough to convey the meaning of it all.
Of course, in these times hardly anyone remembers that oath, let alone what those two words used to stand for. Richer districts hear them more often, poorer districts have almost forgotten them completely. But once every while, someone at the Reaping steps up to the stage and makes that long forgotten promise, and for the shortest moment, an entire crowd is reminded of the meaning it used to hold. It is the willingness to lay down your life that gives this expression such an impact. A vow so strong it can make thousands believe in that one thing you would sacrifice yourself for. And though the oath may be forgotten, the words have all but lost their power.
"I volunteer."
So basically this is my first ever attempt at writing a fanfiction. I haven't really written anything for about 2 years so please, go easy on me. If there is anyone who wants to read more of this, I shall continue. If not, well that's alright. So please review and let me know, I'm really eager to find out (: