Jasper Onyx 18, District 1 Male
After Jasper had been chosen as the district 1 tribute for the 76th Hunger Games the academy had seen it fit to relieve him from training and let him go back home the last days before the reaping, as a kind of reward. Not that Jasper found it particularly rewarding. He didn't want to be here and he doubted his parents wanted him here either. After all they had been the ones to send him away to the academy's boarding home in the first place to 'make him a better man', whatever that meant.
But none of that would matter any more after he had won the Hunger Games. He could go live in the Victor's Village and finally decide over his own life. No more nagging or liabilities, he would be free to do whatever he wanted. And he smirked at the thought that he would be the one to decide whether or not he'd allow his parents to ever visit him again. He still hadn't decided what to do about them, he really didn't care about it at the moment anyway. But he liked knowing that from now on he would always be the one in charge, the one with 100% control. Just the way he liked it.
"Jasper I told you 10 minutes ago, breakfast is ready! What is taking so long?" He heard his mother yell from downstairs and he rolled his eyes, would the woman just let him be for once in his life.
"I'm coming! I just need to get dressed." He answered in a bored tone, no real intention to actually get up. If she wanted him to eat, then she should bring breakfast to him. Wasn't that kind of her job as his mother anyway? He shouldn't have to run around doing things for her.
His plan worked. 10 minutes later she knocked on his door with a full plate of breakfast in her hands. He didn't bother to thank her as she started ranting about him not living up to his full potential and he grew increasingly annoyed.
"Mother, would you be quiet. I'm trying to eat. I have to be ready to volunteer today, so if you could just leave me alone that'd be great." He finally snapped at her and she gave him a sour look and walked out. He took this as his cue and leaned back into his bed, enjoying breakfast. His mother was stressed over nothing, he'd probably make it to the reaping in time.
Larkin Calabria 18, District 1 Female
"Goodmorning mr Stanley" Larkin chirped happily at the elder Victor who waved at her happily, his mouth opening in a toothless grin. Gold Stanley was the victor of the 2nd Hunger Games and although he was over 90 years old he still came out every morning to tend to the flowers in his front yard, the flowers Larkin herself helped plant years ago.
She had always liked it better in the Victor's Village than in the actual district. Maybe it was because it was her home and she had grown up here, or maybe it was because here everyone had their priorities straight. Here what mattered was how strong you were and how well you could fight, whereas in the district far to many people were distracted by pretty dresses and making sure their makeup and hair was just right. But not Larkin, she was born to become a victor, it was in her DNA.
And today the day she had trained for had finally arrived. She knew no one in the Games could match her skills with a knife. And having a victor as a father and a trainer as a mother came with its perks, they had prepared her for anything that might come her way. She was genuinely excited for the Games which caused her to smile even brighter than usual, a fact that didn't go unnoticed as she met up with her two best friends, Justus Greene and Morgan Atlee.
"Well somebody's happy today." Justus said and greeted her with a hug.
"Obviously." She said eagerly with a laugh. "I just can't believe it's finally reaping day, I mean I'm finally going to the Games."
"You don't have to rub it in my face.." Justus winced and Larkin offered him a compassionate smile, he had trained for the Games for years and was the 3rd best male candidate this year. It was good, but not quite good enough, and although he was happy for Larkin he still hadn't quite gotten over the disappointment.
"Why do I get the feeling your Games will end up just like your fathers, with all the careers sitting around a campfire singing Cumbauya." Morgan joked and Larkin laughed. It was true, her father's year had featured the friendliest bunch of careers in the history of the Games, but this year wouldn't be anything like that.
"Don't you worry, singing has never been my thing. I'll stick to winning." Larkin grinned.
"That's my girl." Justus said and dunked her on the back, as the 3 friends headed into the town center, talking and joking all the way.
Jasper Onyx 18, District 1 Male
Jasper strutted into the town square casually. The peacekeeper frowned at his last minute arrival but Jasper didn't care. Because this was it. It was finally time. He found a spot at the very edge of the 18 year old section, the ideal position for him to volunteer from. The cameras would be able to find him quickly and he had a straight path down to the stage. He noticed that most people around him stood in groups, chatting with friends. But not him. He stood alone. He didn't have any friends. Correction; he didn't need any friends. Not that he hated people, absolutely not. But most of them were useless and he could honestly not care less about anyone else.
All he wanted was for the reaping to begin. Or more importantly; the Hunger Games to begin. Then people would drop like flies by his hand, and he'd return to district 1 praised by all of Panem. At least the parts of Panem where people had half a brain. Though unfortunately most places probably fell short of that criteria. None the less this day would be one for the history books.
Soon enough the district 1 escort, Leea Summerbell, with sparkling skin and hair (all in honour of district 1 of course) walked on stage with a bright smile, showing off all of her glistering white teeth.
"Welcome district 1 to the reaping of the 76th annual Hunger Games! I hope you are as excited as I am!" A roar went through the crowd and Leea's smile grew wider, it was no secret the escorts in the career districts were a lot more appreciated than in the outer ones. "Well lets get started then, shall we?"
Larkin Calabria 18, District 1 Female
The reaping had begun and Larkin stood among a bunch of friends from school and the training academy. They had all greeted her with gushing and hugs as she had arrived, and had made sure to let her know just how much they believed in her and how happy they were that she was the one chosen to go. She had thanked them all happily and promised to invite them to her victory party when she got back at which they all shrieked excitedly.
"Lets get started then, shall we?" Leea Summerbell's voice rang from up stage and Larkin's mind filled with determination as she made herself ready. "Lets pick the lovely lady first!"
Leea elegantly made her way to the first of the 2 bowls and dramatically chose one of the slips.
"Tiara Annton!" As soon as the name had left Leea's lips Larkin was in the isle separating the boys from the girls.
"I volunteer!" She yelled with her clear and bright voice and strode up to the stage, making sure to smile at every camera she could find. She saw herself on the big screen and was content when she saw her sparkling eyes and dazzling smile. She knew she'd make a good first impression.
"Welcome, welcome dear." Leea said as Larkin came up on stage. "And now to the gallant gentlemen!"
Once again the escort picked and called out a name. And once again a confident "I volunteer!" sounded in the town square. Larkin observed as Jasper Onyx walked up on stage. She knew him from the training center, though she had never really talked to him, he mostly kept to himself. He didn't really look like the most impressive career, he looked younger than his 18 years and wasn't the biggest but Larkin knew he was lethal. They shook hands and with that the reaping was over.
Jasper Onyx 18, District 1 Male
"Good job son." Jasper's father told him with a pat on the back as they said goodbye. "You'll win this."
"Yeah I know." Jasper said impatiently and with a nonchalant shrug. He really didn't see the point in his parents being here, the only thing they did was take away time from his preparations.
"Just don't be stupid. Be the man I know you can be." His mother gave him a hug, but he didn't return the favor and just stood there with his mother's arms around him and he grew more annoyed.
"Sure mother." He said rather harshly, relieved when his mother pulled back.
"See you soon." His parents said and started heading for the door.
"Bye." Jasper answered without even giving them another glance.
They were out of the room and Jasper was finally left alone to plan out his road to victory. Only by thinking of it his smirk grew wide.
Larkin Calabria 18, District 1 Female
"Amazing job darling! We are so proud of you!" Larkin's parents were the first one to enter the room.
"Thanks mom, thanks dad." She smiled at them and gave them both hugs. "I'll see you soon. I love you."
"Love you too sweetheart." Another hug and then they were out, there were no need for goodbyes she'd be home soon enough anyway.
Next up were Justus and Morgan who both congratulated her and urged her to kick some ass in the arena. They joked some more and hugged before they too left the room. Larkin was then visited by a whole row of friends, and not before long her hour was over. But before the peacekeepers came to get her she found a piece of paper in her pocket. Someone must have put it there during visitation. She picked it up and read it and immediately her enthusiasm turned to fury. Before she could stop herself she hit the wall so hard her knuckles started to bleed and she crinkled the note in her hand and threw it across the room but the words wouldn't leave her brain.
'You won't stand a chance, you're so dead.'
So that's district 1 for you. What do you think about the tributes? I also want to apologize for the late update, I've just been incredibly busy lately. Hopefully the next chapter will come quicker, I promise I'll do my best to make that happen.