We are into the double digits for the reapings! That's right, only 3 more to go! These one's are shorter than the others, so they'll make for an easy read. These tributes were created by Penmysword and Zeiddo
Calican Sareamer
1. Why was Panem built?
To bring peace and prosperity to its citizens and to prevent any more wars and disasters from happening.
2. What were the Dark Days?
A rebellion of the 13 districts against the Capitol.
3. List five reasons why the leaders of the rebellion were dangerous and insane and explain each reason in detail.
I drop my pencil and sigh in defeat. Today is the day of the reapings; it's supposed to be a holiday for everyone. But seeing as I have no real free time between work and school, I need to get this thing done today or my teacher will have my hide. I take a deep breath and turn back to my home work.
3. List five reasons why the leaders of the rebellion were dangerous and insane and explain each reason in detail.
Okay, I can do this. I start scribbling down answers as fast as I can, my pencil flying across the page. Really, this question isn't actually that hard. There are quite a few reasons the rebellion leaders were a tiny bit crazy; I'm proof of that.
Apparently during the Dark Days the leaders were encouraging people to reproduce. "Give us more fighting warriors," they said. As if they thought they could hold their own in the war against the Capitol long enough for all those babies to actually be able to do something helpful. Most people seemed to think along these lines and didn't really put much stock into what they said. Not my parents though.
David Sare and Quenla Amer both thought that anything the rebellion leaders said was true. So they took the whole "reproducing" concept to heart. They didn't get married or anything, they just decided to . . . well, I don't really want to go into to detail so let's just say they got together and the end product was me. Calican "Sareamer" since I was both of theirs. We still all live in the same house, but there's nothing romantic that ever goes on between my mother and father. In fact, my mom is currently in a relationship with a different guy. I don't particularly like him but hey, if it makes her happy.
I finish answering the question with a triumphant smile. Only two more to go . . . wait. I turn the page over and catch a glimpse of the other side of the paper full of more questions and groan. I'm never going to get this thing done.
"Hey Calican! Calican!"
I turn and jump back in my seat, almost falling off the chair. My three friends are standing right behind me, all smiling broadly.
"You know if someone ever tries to rob your house, you'd be screwed. We could just walk right in and take whatever we wanted," Kastler says laughing.
"Well I doubt my parents would bother even trying to stop you." I grin. "They'd probably just wish you well and point you towards the most valuable things."
Another odd thing about my parents; they're super nice to everyone. It's not a bad thing, but because they focus so much on spreading "good vibes" as they call it, they don't make too much money. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if someone brainwashed them.
"True," Kastler says chuckling. "You want to come hang out before the reapings?"
I make a face. "Can't. I have to finish the assignment."
"You didn't get it done in class?" Poe asks, brushing her mousy brown hair back behind her ears.
"Yeah, well, we can't all be braniacs like you," Keya, Kastler's girlfriend says. "Besides, it's not due for ages, right?"
"I wanted to get it done early."
"Jeez, you and Poe make us look awful by comparison." Kastler says, nudging Keya, who smiles. "Why don't you just take it to the reapings with you? The mayor normally says all that stuff in his big speech, you can get the answers there."
I'll admit, I hadn't thought of that. It certainly would save time to have the answers read out to me instead of trying to remember them from class. I hesitated, torn by the desire to finish the assignment now and get it out of the way or to hang out with my three best friends. Though really, when I thought about it, it wasn't much of an option.
I smile. "Alright, let's go."
Devera Let
He had to be hot, obviously. And strong. So strong that he could pick her up and carry me all around the district so that I'd never have to walk again. He would walk right over that hill and run towards me, holding roses and chocolates, which I would graciously accept. Then he would bend down on one knee and begin to pronounce his undying love for me.
"Devera."
"Devera!"
"I love you."
"The geese are getting away."
I shake my head, trying to come out of my reverie. Slowly the picture of my handsome, stunning dream boy fades, replaced with the very real image of my sister standing in front of me, a smile on her face. I glance over at the geese I'm supposed to be looking after; currently they're all running around in different directions.
After a rigorous twenty minutes of attempting to get them all back together, they finally stay in a small group by the lake. I turn back to my sister, Keya, who is standing there watching me.
"I thought you had plans with Kastler," I say, sighing a bit inside. My sister is so lucky to have a boy friend, and an attractive one at that. I often dream about being like her.
"I do, I'm heading out soon," she says. "But dad told me to remind you that the reapings are today and you have a shorter shift today." She laughs as my eyes widen; I had completely forgotten about the ceremony. I guess I can get a little too caught up in my own daydreams sometimes. "Just don't forget."
"I won't." But she's already turning away, Kastler and their friend Poe appearing at the top of the hill. So it isn't romantic plans she has then; but I bet they'll be doing something after the reapings. Every night since they got together they've been practically inseparable. I sigh again, wondering if I'll ever meet my dream guy, before chasing after an unruly goose who's wandering down the banks of the small lake.
I spend most of the morning daydreaming some more and herding the geese, and as the sun reaches its peak in the sky I can see my employer, Jerald, coming over to relieve me for the day. I bring the geese back into their pen and take my pay before heading out towards town where my family lives. On my way I run into a couple of boys, but none meet the criteria I have in my head for dream man. They're too immature and childish, calling me "Goose Girl" and laughing. I make a mental note to ask my fantasy guy to teach them all a lesson. When I found him, that is.
I push open the door of my father's little shop and hurry up the stairs to my room, handing him my money as I do so. I'd been saving money for ages to buy the perfect Reaping dress and had been itching to wear it. It had sat in my drawer for a week, but today, I'd finally get to put it on.
The satiny, blue material looks absolutely gorgeous, and for a while all I can do is stand in mirror and stare at myself. There's no way any guy would be able to resist me in this, I'm sure of it. With this dress, fate will have no choice but to provide me with an amazing boy.
I walk down the stairs and am greeted by Popple, my best friend since we were eight. She "oohs" and "ahhs" at my dress and in turn I compliment her on hers before the two of us wave goodbye to my parents and head out towards the square, chatting about who we think will get reaped this year and if it'll be one of the jerky guys in our class, which is a probability because there are quite a few of them. I catch a glimpse of Keya with Kastler and their other friends in the seventeen section before Popple and I are swept away in the crowd of fourteen year-olds.
Calican
I'm trying to write as fast as I can, but the mayor talks too quickly and the speech is done before I can get through all of the questions. Kastler taps me on the shoulder to indicate that the actual reaping ceremony is starting and I sigh and drop my pencil back into my pocket. I knew I should have finished this thing at home. But then again, I don't regret going to hang out with my friends. It's one of the only times I can really be me.
The escort, a really muscled man named Donnie Yucoth walks on stage and heads for the reaping bowl. He takes great care as he reaches his hand in to grab a slip; last year he knocked the bowl off of its podium and the whole thing shattered, paper flying everywhere. It was pretty funny.
After taking an achingly long time trying not to bump the bowl, he pulls out a slip. I can't help but hold my breath, as he calls the name out, even though I know there's no possibility of it being me.
"Calican Sareamer!"
My first thought is I jinxed it. I might as well have asked for it to be me. But that thought disappears quickly replaced by ones more along the lines of Oh my gosh, I'm going to die.
The paper drops from my hand as I just gape at the stage, thinking that maybe if I stare at the escort long enough he'll call out a different name. But of course, he doesn't, and I can feel my friends devastated looks as they try to think of something reassuring to say or do. Really though, what can you say in a situation like this?
I start mechanically walking up to the stage, feeling as though it's not really me that's in control of my body. My mind is still far away, trying to calculate the possibility of me, of all people, being reaped. It's so small; I only had six slips, I know lots of kids who have to take tessera. Why was it me? Why?
I mount the stage and take my position, staring back at the members of my district. The girl's name is called, "Devera" something, and I feel like I should recognise her but I can't, the world seems to be spinning around me and I'm starting to worry that I might cry or throw up or do something stupid like that. I can't break down, I know I can't, the other tributes will be watching the reruns and looking for weaknesses. But I don't think I can hold all my emotions in. I think I might explode, it's too much, it's . . .
A paper airplane comes flying out of the crowd and through the air, landing at my feet. The escort glares sideways at me, as if I'm the cause of the disturbance, but keeps talking, trying to not let it distract him. I bend down to pick it up and unfold it, realising that it's my homework assignment. At the bottom, there's the last question that I didn't answer.
10. In your opinion, what are the qualifications an ideal tribute should have?
I didn't manage to finish that one, but still there's writing filling up the space for an answer. I recognise Kastler's sloppy penmanship and hold it up closer to my face to read.
The ideal tribute should be brave and loyal, kind and caring. They should be smart and quick on their feet but at the same time they should be able to think things through and make the best decisions. They don't need lots of physical training to win; they just have to be nothing short of amazing.
Calican, you are nothing short of amazing. You're coming home a winner.
I bite my lip to try to keep from laughing, but I can't stop the huge smile that spreads across my face. My friends believe in me, they think I can win, and who am I to tell them otherwise? Maybe I can, just so long as I know they'll be waiting here at home for me.
Devera
I can't help but keep glancing at my district partner as we stand on the stage. I know him, he's one of Keya's friends; Calican, I think. I wonder what it says on the piece of paper that flew to him.
I'll admit, at first, I was surprised to be reaped. But I think this is fate's way of giving me a chance at romance. I've seen previous Games were the tributes have ended up falling in love against all odds, and I'll admit, I've had a fantasy or two about love in the arena. Of course, only one of us can win, but I'd expect my man to be so in love with me that he'd sacrifice himself so that I could live on. It would be so heartbreakingly tragic, and yet, so romantic, like the relationship I've always dreamed of having.
I sneak another sideways peek at Calican. He's really not all that bad looking. Sandy brown hair, mysterious, dark brown eyes, stocky build. Obviously he's nothing compared to the huge mass of muscle that is our escort, but he looks in shape. He's a few years older than me, but that doesn't really matter. Maybe he could be my lover in the arena, and help me win. It's always a possibility. Of course, I'll have to wait and see what the other male tributes look like first.
I turn back to the crowd, made up of many sombre faces. But I'm not scared for these Games. I know I can win, with or without someone to help me. Though it will be much more enjoyable with my dream guy.
