I'll be doing even Districts first (2, 4, 6, 8,) and then the odds, so I need even numbers before you submit an odd! Thanks, and oh, there will be no Sponsor System :( I simply don't have that much time. Here is District 2, Soren and Matsu.
Soren Sarutobi, age 20
"Soren!" her voice is like heaven on earth to me. I proposed yesterday, and she actually said yes. I can't believe she's my fiancé.
"Coming my love!" I call, hopping out of the shower. I slide into the white, collared shirt, a black vest, a black tie, black jeans, and black sneakers. After lacing my shoes, I race down our stairs. Our house is nice, really. We aren't rich like most District 2 citizens, but we fare off well. Heathcliff and Holden wrestle on the floor. They're both pretty brutal, though they don't give off that vibe. Holden has Heath in a head lock, ruffling up his black hair.
"Stop it! Stop it!" Heath growls, trying to wrestle free from his 17-year-old twin. Holden releases him, chuckling to himself.
"Breakfast boys!" Teru calls from the kitchen. She comes in from the kitchen, her dark hair done up and her green eyes as vibrant and loving as ever. She looks so natural in her white dress, and shoes. Like a god sent angel. She moves swiftly, smoothing down my blonde hair and looking into my sky blue eyes.
"I love you." Is all I can manage without pouring out my entire heart like I do at night. She smiles faintly.
"I love you too. Now come eat." she says gently. She grabs my hand and leads me to the dining room table, where Heath and Holden pile their plates with pancakes, bacon, eggs, and assorted fruits.
"Hey! I wanted the last bacon!" Heath growls as Holden plops it on his plate.
"I'm making more, now come down." Teru says, and giggles. Her life is like the tinkling of bells, and brings a smile to my face. After filling up my plate, I snatch the bacon from Holden's plate.
"The man of the house gets the last bacon." I say, and stuff it in my mouth. Holden looks at me angrily.
"Man? More like little boy. I tower over you at 6'0 ft big brother." Heath offers. I shoot him a death glare.
"Oh both of you stop it." Teru says from the kitchen.
"Did dad send us anything from the Capitol?" Holden asks suddenly. My face goes grim. I don't really like my parents, since they left us to fend for ourselves here in District 2 while they lived a lavish life in the Capitol.
"Uh, yeah. One for each of you on the coffee table." Teru says, taking a seat next to me and stealing a sliced banana from my plate. I fake scowl at her, and she giggles again, resting her head on my shoulder. Heath comes back with the envelopes, dropping them on the table. I clear dishes, while they open the letters. I never read them, Teru does. She likes to hear about the Capitol. It interests her. Whatever.
"And so my dear children, here is a check to pay for your wedding, and checks to pay for your training to take part in the Games next year. Congratulations to all of you, signed, Mum and Dad. Isn't that nice sweetie?" Teru asks. I snort.
"Please. Let's just get to the reaping." I mutter.
-!-!
Teru and I clasp hands until the separate us for sign-up. I kiss her cheek gently.
"Good luck love." I say. She looks back up at me, her eyes sparkling.
"Good luck to you too." She says. Holden's dark eyes catch mine for a moment, as he goes to stand with the 26 and up, and the other kids that are safe another year. I stand alone in line. Not people like to be around me, I'm often considered brooding or intimidating. Probably better, don't want anybody nosing into my business.
"Welcome! Welcome District 2! To the Third Quarter Quell Reaping. Now, this year we will choose from ages, 19 to 25. Isn't that exciting?" our escort Mardune asks. Whoops and hollers erupt from the crowd. I roll my eyes, crossing my arms.
"Now, first we have our annual speech from your Mayor, and we have our video." he asks. More hollering. After the speech, the history and such, and our video, Mardune steps back to the microphone.
"Now, for the girls." he exclaims.
"I'm bursting with a joy." a man in front of me says. I chuckle.
"Our female tribute for District 2 is... Matsu Takeshima!" she exclaims. There is a burst of sobs from the 23 year section. Oh goodness. A crier. That'll just break our District. She has black hair and eyes, (or a dark brown, I can't really see) and she looks terrified. Her face is contorted in a pain that is unrecognizable. Poor girl. After some fake comfort, Mardune strides to the boy's ball.
"Now, for us men." he chuckles. The District erupts into fake laughs. I keep my arms crossed.
"Our male tribute is... Soren Sarutobi!" he calls. What pitying fool will it be... wait a minute. Sarutobi? Soren Sarutobi?
"Come on up lad." Mardune says as the camera focuses on me. Shock overrides my body as I walk steadily up to the stage.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, your District 2 tributes, Soren Sarutobi and Matsu Takeshima!" he calls. There is the reading of the Treaty of Treason, we shake hands, and then are escorted into the Justice Building. I let a single tear roll from my eyes.
Matsu Takeshima, age 23
"Enoch! Hurry!" I call up the stairs.
"Why?" he bellows. I mentally facepalm.
"Because your breakfast is getting cold and today is the reaping. Your 25, stop acting like a child!" I call back up. He mutters some un-intelligible profanity, and thunders down the stairs.
"Yes mother." he drawls.
"Don't call me that." I tell him.
"Fine." he says.
"Look, I know you're in a bad mood because of today,"
"I thought you had seen your last reaping," he stops to count on his fingers. "5 years ago!" he growls. I sigh.
"Don't interrupt. Look, there is the large chance it won't be me. Maybe a few slips. Out of... thousands!" I exaggerate, throwing my hands in the air.
"Overexaggerater." he says, piling food onto his plate. I sit in a chair, looking at him.
"That's not even a word." I point out.
"Sure it isn't." he says sarcastically.
"It's not!" I pout. Usually, I'm very motherly and proper and don't pout. But I feel a bit disarranged this morning.
"Sure. Hey, is er... Kartik coming over?" he asks. My brother and Kartik were best friends. The relationship drifted away though, when we started dating.
"I guess." I shrug, pulling a book from my bag on the table. I open it, and 'stick my nose' in it, as Enoch always teases. The doorbell rings, but I'm so engulfed in The Tales of Once Was, that I don't hear it.
"I'll get it." I think Enoch mutters, and it's when Kartik's voice fills the air that I snap closed my book. Kartik has this frown on his face, and he seems distressed.
"What's wrong?" I ask, smoothing out my ocean blue dress. I wore my favorite, white stockings, black dress shoes and a lovely ocean blue dress that flows to my knees. I look nice if I say so myself.
"You look beautiful." Kartik compliments.
"Thank you. Now what's wrong?" I ask again. He looks up.
"Oh, I tore my sleeve. I don't even know how." he frowns. I sigh.
"Let me look at it." I say, pulling the sewing kit from under the couch. I work easily, my years of practice at sewing coming in handy. When I was a girl. I'd rip things up and then sew them back together. My mother (bless her soul) finally bought me fabric, and now I have a quilt made from old skirts, dresses, blouses, and lace socks and stockings. I sew back the navy blue shirt easily, and offer him breakfast.
"No, no thank you. I came to walk you to the reaping." He grins. I blush ferociously. I look to Enoch.
"You won't be late?" I asks. Every year. He's late every year.
"Promise little sis. Go on, I'll be a good boy." he teases. I roll my eyes.
"Goodbye Enoch." I say, and make for the door with Kartik hot on my heels.
"Bye mother." he calls as Kartik closes it.
-!-!
I stand alone. I'm very shy. Actually, scratch that. I'm extremely shy. How I made it through grade school was always a mystery to me. I look over, and directly across from me, in the male 23-year-old male victor division (there are too many Victors to fit on stage, so they have their own roped off area), is Enoch. His dirty blonde hair blowing in the District 2 breeze. I hate summers. Everything is so hot and sticky, and men sweat like pigs. Even us girls have a bit of perspiration problems, especially the ones down at the CTF. Childrens Training Facility. The air conditioner doesn't work down there and it gets extremely hot. I know, because all past victors teach down there. Including Enoch. I look up at him, his black hair blowing around his face. I'm glad he made it on time. Made it early. His dark eyes find me in the crowd and he waves sadly. I give a faint smile and wave back.
"Welcome! Welcome District 2! To the Third Quarter Quell Reaping. Now, this year we will choose from ages, 19 to 25. Isn't that exciting?" our escort Mardune asks. Whoops and hollers erupt from the crowd. I sigh, clapping (not happily) with the rest.
"Now, first we have our annual speech from your Mayor, and we have our video." he asks. More hollering. After the speech, and our video, Mardune steps back to the microphone.
"Now, for the reaping ." he exclaims. "Our female tribute is... Matsu Takeshima!" he yells. It registers immediately, tears bursting from my eyes before I can stop them. I sob and cry as I'm dragged on stage. My tears won't stop flowing, and I don't think I want them to.
"Now for our boys," Mardune says uneasily, after a failed attempt at comfort.
"Soren Sarutobi!" she yells. I sniffle a pit, and wipe my eyes. The man is looming and frightening, and he nearly breaks my hand during the shake. When we're ushered into the Justice Building, I swear I see a sparkling tear run down his face.
Soren Sarutobi (Oxenstierna D. Yuki-Rin)
Teru comes in first, tears glittering on her porcelien face. It hurts me to see her like this. Broken. Torn. She probably already feels alone.
"Soren!" she sobs, throwing herself into my arms. I catch her with ease (she probably weighs 200 pounds dripping wet, my wife is very small) and pull her close to me. I inhale the scent of lavender drifting up from her hair, it comforts me. No matter what shampoo she uses, she will always smell of lavender.
"Soren..." she whispers again.
"Shh, shh. I'll be alright. I'll try to come home. I promise." I swear, kissing her forehead.
"Good. Wear your engagement ring into the arena. Please?" she asks. I nod.
"Of course." I say. She pulls her lips into mine, and I pull her closer.
"I love you." we whisper at the same time.
"Times up." a peacekeeper says, but we stay locked in embrace. He steps over and heartlessly pulls Teru away from me. She thrashes and screams in his arms, begs for me.
"I love you Teru!" I shout.
"I lo-" slam! The door shuts closed. I plop down on the velvet couch. Heath and Holden are next. I wordlessly wrap my arms around the two, as they hug me. We were never a sentimental group, showing our love by the game "Mercy" or by simply wrestling. Now is different.
"If I die,"
"Which you won't." Heath interrupts.
"If I do," I say through gritted teeth. "I want you to help Teru... forget." I say, my heart wretching.
"Forget what, exactly?" Heath asks, raising an eyebrow. I sigh.
"Me, my Games, whatever happens to me..." I trail off, the thought is like stabbing a million bow and arrows through my heart.
"No way she's agreeing to that." Holden chuckles.
"What do you mean?" I ask with a frown. It will destroy her, hearing of my death and then... not moving on.
"If anyone should know Terry, it's you. She's not just going to forget. She'll carry that with her the rest of her life. Look, the peacekeepers are coming. We love you big brother." Holden says.
"I love you guys too." I whisper. They give me one last hug, before walking solemnly out of the room, much to the peacekeepers pleasure. Saves them from having to drag two very heavy 17 year olds from the room. I sniffle, clean up my eyes a bit, and wait to be taken to the train.
Matsu Takeshima (Oxenstierna D. Yuki-Rin)
Kartik is first.
"Kartik!" I gasp, as he envelopes me in a strong hug. His lips press against my forehead, and I feel that tingling sensation I get whenever we kiss. He runs his fingers through my black hair, and I stare into his lovely green eyes.
"Oh Matsu." he mumbles after we come up for air.
"I-I-I'm sorry." I say gently.
"Oh, it's not your fault. Not even close." he says. He kisses my cheek.
"I love you." he says.
"I love you too Kartik." I say. He digs into his pocket, and retrieves something. It's a golden mockingjay necklace. The sun catches on it, making it look like the gift from the gods.
"It's not very uh, original. I just thought you'd want a token... in that arena you might..." he trails off, and I kiss him again.
"Thank you." I say, allowing him to clasp it on my neck.
"So you'll come home?" he asks.
"I promise." I swear. One last kiss, before the peacekeepers take him away.
"Matsu!" he screams, as he is dragged.
"Kartik!" I shout. The door slams shut. Enoch is next, his face red from rage.
"Enoch!" I say, taken aback. Is he mad it me? For being reaped? I hope not.
"They won't let me! They won't let me mentor you! They say it's an unfair adavntage." he rages. I sigh.
"Calm down Enoch. Give me a hug before the drag you away." I sniffle, and he wraps me in his warm embrace.
"Few slips out of thousands huh?" he asks softly.
"Shut up." I sigh, and bury my face in his chest.
"S'alright. I got Enobaria and Brutus on the job. If they don't bring you out I swear i'll-"
"Break their necks? Punch them in the gut? It won't bring me back Enoch." I say, looking into his dark eyes. People used to call us twins, because of the matching hair and eyes.
"Look, you'll come back, and I won't have to do that stuff." he says, and kisses my forehead. He gives me one last hug.
"I love you little sister." he mutters, as the heavy thuds of peacekeeper boots echo in the hallway.
"I love you too big brother." I sniffle, as the peacekeepers burst in and take him away. I collapse on the floor (something I never do) and sob into my skirt.
My god, this took forever. It got deleted twice (courtesy of my younger siblings) and then I kept forgetting their names, outfits, family... i got frustrated a lot. But, I enjoy how it turned out, and if they don't fit in your imagination right, I'd be happy to go back and do some serious damage control. Both these tributes are from Oxenstierna D. Yuki-Rin. So, yeah... okay bye!